Vellore cadre miffed with DMK’s Vaniyambadi meet move 

“We understand the party leader choosing Vaniyambadi town, but it is not as if others in the remaining five Assembly segments have not supported us. A lot of us would have been excited if he had included Vellore,” said a senior functionary seeking anonymity.

Party sources revealed that Vaniyambadi was chosen as it was this constituency with its afternoon voter surge resulted in Kathir Anand romping home. It may be recalled that voter turnout which was sluggish in the morning suddenly picked up in the afternoon.

Stalin, during the final campaign meeting at Vellore on August 3, promised that he would thank them. Cadres feel locals may take it averse if Stalin does not keep his word. Meanwhile posters have appeared in the town thanking voters.

While sources attributed the increased voter turnout to the Union government abrogating Article 370 for Jammu & Kashmir, another reason cited was that Labour Minister Nilofer Kafeel – she is the Vaniyambadi MLA - had exhorted women to vote for the AIADMK on the ground that the Triple Talaq Act was in favour of Muslim women.

Sources said minority community women responded to the Minister’s exhortation, but voted for the DMK instead. AIADMK sources feel that Stalin’s Vaniyambadi meet would also check the Minister’s rise in the area.