The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Tamil Nadu suffered a jolt on Wednesday as the president of the Pradesh Congress Committee announced that Rahul Gandhi, the lead star of the Opposition alliance, will campaign from four places in the State on April 12.
“Rahul Gandhi will address four massive election rallies at Krishnapuri,Theni, Salem and Vurudhunagar. MK Stalin, president of the DMK is joining Rahul Gandhi in these election rallies,” said KS Azhagiri, TNCC President. Speaking to reporters at Chennai, the TNCC President disclosed that the DMK-led SPA (Secular Progressive Alliance) was far ahead in the campaign and the arrival of Rahul Gandhi would obliterate the AIADMK-led front.
As the day for election in Tamil Nadu is fast approaching (April 18) , campaign in the State has touched a feverish pitch with both the main fronts exceeding all the limits prescribed by the Election Commission of India for a fair game. An evangelist, known for his pro-DMK stance said in his prayer meeting that the country would get the right Prime Minister, the right Ministers and the right Parliament after the elections.
“After these elections, God will intervene in the hearts of the members of parliament. God will intervene in the hearts of the leaders of the Government and they will listen to the God’s voice. I believe with Government’s order, God’s churches will be built across the nation. It is coming mow after these election,” said Paul Dhinakaran, head of the Jesus Calls Ministries in a widely circulated video.
What add to the woes of the DMK is the speeches delivered by DK leader K Veeramani, a close acolyte of late M Karunanidhi who is Stalin’s political ideologue.
Veeramani ridiculing the Hindu gods have gone viral in the social media prompting Hindu activists assembling in temples across the State to take a vow that they would not vote for parties entertaining people who insults Gods and Goddesses. These incidents have taken the sheen off the contest across the State vitiating the atmosphere.
The DMK is yet to make its plans known to the voters. Stalin’s campaign speeches centre around the need to throw out the Narendra Modi Government at the Centre and the Edappadi Palaniswamy Government at Chennai.
“The Edappady Palaniswamy Government would be thrown out within hours of a change of Government at the Centre” declared Stalin at Thoothukudi while campaigning for Kanimozhi (Karunanidh’s daughter by his third wife Rajathi) who is the DMK candidate for the Lok Sabha constituency. But his bête noir Palaniswamy is focussing his campaign e on promises and assurances instead of attacking the DMK or Stalin.
He limits criticism to the minimum and declares about schemes like linking of rivers, building check dams and creation of jobs.
There is a general feeling among the commentators that the DMK is being profligate in its attack on his rivals.
“This phase of the electioneering is crucial and Stalin should be careful in choosing the words as he is in focus in Tamil Nadu,” said a scribe who is a veteran of many campaign trails.