Parties vie to impress with final push

Madurai: From tearful tributes to parotta-tossing displays, the high-octane election trail in south Tamil Nadu reached a fever pitch on Tuesday evening as the window for campaigning officially slammed shut. Candidates of major parties experimented with numerous strategies during the campaign. In Tiruchendur constituency, DMK candidate and minister Anitha Radhakrishnan took along his two grandsons, Adhyanth Krishna and Aadhav Krishna, while campaigning at Manappad village, predominantly inhabited by fisherfolk. "Vote for our grandfather; he will do good for you; he will not break his promises," the boys said. Priyadarshini, daughter of AIADMK candidate in Thirumangalam constituency R B Udhayakumar, campaigned for her father.In Madurai East constituency, AIADMK youth wing members, seeking votes for their candidate Mangulam K Mahendran in Utthangudi, held a placard with the slogan "#Get_out_moorthy" in a campaign directed against DMK candidate and sitting minister P Moorthy. In Thiruparankundram, AIADMK candidate V V Rajan Chellappa decorated an entire truck highlighting AIADMK's poll promises. They included free refrigerator, Rs10,000 one-time relief to every family, and Rs10 lakh compensation for the family of any bull tamer killed by a bull during jallikattu. TVK candidate S Rajagopal, contesting in Ambasamudram in Tirunelveli district, canvassed for votes at a hotel while tossing parottas. Karaikudi AMMK candidate Therpogi Pandi also did the same. Puthiya Tamilagam candidate for Vasudevanallur, K Paulraj, made ‘pooris' at a hotel during the campaign. Manamadurai DMK candidate A Tamilarasi made ‘paniyaram' and ‘vadai' during her campaign.TVK chief Vijay, during his campaign in Kanyakumari, took out a cycle rally on the highway, when a fan threw a bunch of flowers over him. Vijay misunderstood it as a ‘bomb' and returned to his campaign vehicle in a hurry.Madurai Central DMK candidate and minister P T R Palanivel Thiaga Rajan broke down while speaking about his father P T Rajan on Tuesday. On witnessing his tears, the crowd chanted, "Ayya PTR Vazhga..." He then said, "I returned from Tokyo in a hurry after hearing the news of my father's demise. I am forever grateful for the love the people of Madurai gave to my father and grandfather." AIADMK candidate Sundar C finished his campaign with a tea.