On coast, fisherfolk issues given a miss

Graffiti of political parties greets visitors to Idinthakarai- fulcrum of the

Kudankulam agitation

. The signboard at the protest pandal marks May 13 as the 1,754th day of protest. But, besides Celine taking a siesta, there is no one else at the pandal. "Money is playing games. It is a betrayal that my villagers are planning to vote for parties that didn't support the agitation," says Celine.

Mary, who was in the forefront of the agitation, says she is solidly behind the agitation, says she is solidly behind S P Udayakumar who led the agitation and is working for his candidacy in the Radhapuram constituency. But she is upset that villagers will vote for AIADMK too despite the party's candidate, Inbadhurai, a government leader who appeared against fisherfolk and activists in cases against them.

The Kudankulam agitation is a distant memory among the fisherfolk. Generally considered votebanks of AIADMK, partly due to their love of MGR -fisherfolk may vote for DMK or even the Third Front if the candidate is strong.

"More than 90 boats of

Rameswaram fisherfolk

are still in Lankan custody. There's dissatisfaction but fisherfolk are not quite convinced DMK is a better choice. The state government's initiative to assist in converting to deep-sea fishing is welcome," says U Arulanandam, fishermen leader.

The state has 595 fishing hamlets in 13 districts spanning nearly 30 constituencies. But, besides Killiyoor after delimitation and Colachel, fishermen are not a decisive factor in any constituency. "Even in Killiyoor, the main parties have not fielded fishermen candidates," says Vareethiah Constantine, professor at St Jude's college in Thothoor.

In Radhapuram, the DMK candidate Appavoo may have stood back during the Kudankulam agitation but he has helped fishermen in other ways. He had installed two water tanks from his MLA fund in Uvari. And many Uvari folk support him over S P Udayakumar.

In most villages, fishermen cite sea erosion as a key concern. "The catch is reducing and I have sent my sons to work in shipping and harbour jobs just like others in our village," adds Alphonse of Uvari. But these issues are not on the poll agenda. Periyathaalai is the only fishing village in Srivaikuntam and the residents wear their traditional AIADMK support on their sleeve. At Manappadu village in Tiruchendur next door, fishermen were traditional AIADMK supporters, but DMK candidate Anita Radhakrishnan is popular with fishermen whereas Sarathkumar is considered an outsider. Here too, fisherfolk votes may split, helping the DMK.