TIRUCHY: With just 10 more days to go for the Tiruchy West by-poll campaign to end, both the DMK and the AIADMK have embarked on a low key door-to-door campaign. The AIADMK candidate M Paranjothi, accompanied by ministers and district functionaries is visiting houses and shops to garner votes for himself. He is relying mainly on Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s name and the status of the AIADMK as the ruling party.He simply says “I will look after this constituency well, if you vote for me”, rather than giving specific promises on the likely projects he would implement. He does not forget to remind voters that he is ‘Amma’s candidate’ and his symbol is ‘two leaves’, which are his strong points.Unlike Paranjothi, who has nothing to say about himself, the DMK is listing the achievements of its candidate K N Nehru for the constituency over the last five years.To compensate for the absence of Nehru for the campaign, they are distributing pamphlets with the picture of the former minister behind the bar.The pamphlet quickly conveys to the voter why Nehru has not come personally to seek votes. It also tries to evoke the sympathy of the people, in favour of the beleaguered leader. The pamphlet lists the roads laid and bridges constructed due to the efforts of Nehru, besides citing the drinking water schemes for the city. The work for preventing flood in the city when the Cauvery is in spate, is also mentioned in the DMK campaign.While Nehru’s performance is widely acknowledged by the people, the main challenge faced by DMK is the doubt in the voters’ minds on whether he will be able to do the same if elected as a member of the opposition now.Partymen claim that Nehru with his experience and capabilities could do better than Paranjothi. Besides, the DMK is trying to create a sympathy wave, citing the big defeat in Assembly elections, despite the populist schemes.Both the parties have arranged only a few public meetings so far. But, with the arrival of Stalin and actress Kushboo for campaign during this weekend, the campaign is likely to pick up.AIADMK, which is under pressure to win by a thumping margin, is betraying tension, after the exit of the DMDK, Communist parties and the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi.On the contrary, the DMK functionaries appear cool and confident. The ruling party is expecting the arrival of Jayalalithaa on October 9, while Karunanidhi is expected to address a public meeting the next day.Both parties are more keen on the by-elections than the Mayoral election.
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