DMK aims to replicate 2021 feat in central Tamil Nadu

TRICHY: Chief minister M K Stalin commenced his assembly election campaign in Tiruvarur early this week. The move was not only because the town was the native place of his late father M Karunanidhi, but also that the Cauvery delta region has historically been crucial to DMK's path to power.In the 2021 election, DMK secured 37 of the 41 seats in the central districts — the highest strike rate in the state. This time too, Stalin is aiming to replicate that performance, targeting farmers in the delta with promises like free modern motor pump sets. Farmers are spread across 20 constituencies in the central region comprising nine districts. In addition to the pumpsets, DMK has also announced a hike in minimum support price for paddy to Rs3,500 per quintal, something which AIADMK has also promised. Farmers are wary of these promises. "The parties should give a clear time frame for implementing these promises," said Swamimalai S Vimal Nathan, secretary of Tamilnadu Cauvery Farmers Protection Association, Thanjavur.But wooing farmers is just one part of the DMK strategy. DMK has awarded seven cabinet berths to its leaders from the central region and all of them have been renominated in their seats this time. They include prominent leaders like K N Nehru, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi and T R B Rajaa. It has also roped in former AIADMK minister R Vaithilingam and has fielded him in Orathanadu, the only segment in Thanjavur district where DMK had lost in 2021. In urban areas, DMK is banking on the development projects including Tidel Parks to help the party win votes.However, political observers say this election may not be a cakewalk for DMK as in 2021. Factional feuds, alliance of AIADMK with AMMK, and arrival of TVK's Vijay, pose challenges. One key challenge DMK faces in constituencies like Mannargudi, Tiruvaiyaru, Papanasam, Thiruvidaimaruthur (SC), and Peravurani is the alliance of AIADMK and AMMK. "Handing over constituencies like Manapparai and Nagapattinam to allies over and again dilutes the morale of grassroots functionaries," a DMK functionary said.With sitting MLAs dropped in at least eight constituencies, including four in Trichy district, new candidates would have a tough time taking on the AIADMK – BJP – AMMK alliance. DMK has also allocated certain ‘safe seats' for allies Congress, Communists and pro-Muslim outfits like IUML to increase strike rate for the alliance. On the other hand it has retained tough seats and fielded strong candidates against AIADMK's sitting MLAs and former ministers, R Kamaraj (Nannilam), O S Manian (Vedaranyam), and C Vijayabaskar (Viralimalai).But what is expected to help DMK is the AIADMK's approach of allocating tough seats to allies BJP and PMK. "AIADMK should have contested Thanjavur and Tiruvarur instead of alloting it to BJP. TMC contesting on BJP symbol in Kumbakonam against the three-time DMK MLA Anbazhagan is a blunder," a senior AMMK functionary said. The candidature of TVK leader Joseph Vijay in Trichy East, AIADMK's Leema Rose are also hurdles that DMK may find challenging to overcome. But Trichy strongman K N Nehru is unfazed. "Last time we won most seats. This time, it will be no different," he said.