Candidates canvass for votes among mosque-goers

Trichy: With campaigns gathering momentum, both DMK and AIADMK alliance candidates are reaching out to mosques across Trichy city and outskirts, seeking support from Muslims. Besides DMK ministers KN Nehru and Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, AMMK candidate for Trichy West M Rajasekaran, contesting as part of NDA, sought votes from minorities too.Anbil Mahesh, DMK candidate for Thiruverumbur, visited Madarasathulla Basheeraya mosque in Bhel township, and Noor mosque in Gandhi Nagar near Thuvakudi. He waited till regular prayers were over and interacted with the worshippers as they were leaving.. He explained to them about the state govt's schemes, including Kalaignar Mahalir Urimai Thittam (KMUT), free bus rides in govt buses for women, and free breakfast for school students.In Trichy West, K N Nehru sought support from Muslims near Bhima Nagar mosque, asserting that their secular front alliance will protect the rights of minorities in the state. "Trichy West and East segments have sizeable minority votes, but in Thiruverumbur, the share is comparatively less. With only 10 days to go for the election campaign to end, we will have multiple rounds of campaigns targeting minority-dominant areas," a DMK source said.