Stars shine bright in Sankarankoil

Sankarankoil: Superstar Rajnikant, the most sought after actor by political parties, has not voiced his support for any party in the Sankarankoil by poll. Ilayathalapathi Vijay too has maintained a stoic silence despite extending support to the AIADMK during the assembly elections. But amidst those blaring speakers and blistering heat in Sankarankoil, star power sure offers some relief to the voter from the high-voltage rhetoric of politicians.From Samathuva Makkal Katchi leader Saratkumar, MP Napoleon and actor Khushboo, to comedians Senthil and Vaiyapuri, over a dozen film stars are battling for the DMK and the AIADMK in the dusty roads of the temple town.
"I know what you are going to ask me. Amma is setting everything right. You will be getting uninterrupted electricity soon,'' tells comedian Senthil to the crowd of curious women and children and elderly in Kakkan Nagar. The moment he felt people were convinced, Senthil began DMK-bashing in his inimitable squeaky voice. "What has Karunanidhi done for you, except making corruption omnipresent in the state. His daughter Kanimozhi had outshined him. While Karunanidhi confined his activities to the state, Kanimozhi went national and landed up in Tihar," Senthil went on as the crowd cheered.
Kushboo, who has garnered more attention than most DMK campaigners, has already got a case registered against her for violating the election code of conduct when she spoke at a place in Sankarankoil where no permission was accorded. She also earned the wrath of BJP men, who had obtained permission there to speak. But the actor seems undeterred.
"Just recollect the welfare scheme implemented by Thalaivar Kalaignar. None of the schemes, including the life saving health insurance scheme are implemented by the present regime. You should teach a lesson to the AIADMK by voting for the DMK candidate,'' she appeals even as the youth and old alike attempt to take a photograph of her on their cellphones.
Napoleon strikes a chord with the voters by often breaking into songs explaining the achievements of the DMK.
SaratKumar, now donning the role of Samathuva Makkal Katchi founder president, is more suave. "You taught a lesson to the DMK by defeating them in the assembly election. Teach a similar lesson now," he tells the villagers as he accompanies the AIADMK candidate S Muthuselvi in Thevarkulam and goes on to explain the AIADMK government's welfare schemes. DMK MP J K Ritheesh, actor Kuyili and Vagai Chandrasekar have also joined the bandwagon.
However, it is not just the superstar alone that the voters are missing, but comedian Vadivelu too. Vadivelu, who had become the star campaigner for the DMK during the last assembly elections, was conspicuously absent during the Sankarankoil campaign.