On unfamiliar grounds, parties take their symbols to voters

Trichy: Last time Congress contested in Thuraiyur assembly segment was about 70 years ago. Similarly, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is contesting in Papanasam, Thanjavur, almost after 50 years. Cadre of Congress and IUML are hard at work to take their respective ‘hand' and ‘ladder' symbols to voters. Out of the 41 constituencies in the central region comprising nine districts, DMK will contest in 34 constituencies, including small parties in the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), in its ‘rising sun'. AIADMK will contest in 28 constituencies in ‘two leaves', followed by BJP in six seats under ‘lotus', while Congress and PMK in three each in their respective symbols. IUML, which has been allocated Papanasam in the DMK alliance, is to contest in its own symbol. IUML last contested in the segment in 1977, an unsuccessful attempt. Congress, Tamil Maanila Congress and AIADMK were successful parties in Papanasam. With the majority being rural areas, IUML's ladder symbol is relatively new for many voters.Anticipating the challenge, IUML had launched field work in Papanasam two years ago, covering areas including Rajagiri, Ayyampettai and Pandaravadai. "Despite this, our party has deputed teams exclusively to promote our symbol as we are contesting after a very long time. DMK members are supporting us in the drive. We will reach all hamlets," Shahjahan A M, IUML candidate, told TOI.Meanwhile, in Thuraiyur (reserved) constituency in Trichy district, Congress candidate Lenin Prasath, 37, faces a challenge as the party last contested in the constituency in 1952. For the 1957 assembly election, the constituency was brought under Thottiam constituency. After 2009 delimitation, Thuraiyur constituency was formed again. "Hard work is essential to cover rural areas where the symbol could be new to many young voters," a senior Congress functionary in Trichy said and added that DMK is helping the party in the process.