TRICHY: In Vedaranyam, a constituency in coastal Nagapattinam district, it's a former DMK man who might give BJP a shot at entering the TN assembly. The national party has fielded three-time former DMK MLA S K Vedharathinam, who joined BJP 18 months ago. If he wins, it will be BJP's first victory in a state election in the district.
To boost the party's prospects, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be campaigning in Vedaranyam on Wednesday evening. This will be his last rally in TN before the state goes to the polls on May 16. Modi has addressed rallies in Hosur, Chennai and Nagercoil. The national party, which is struggling to establish itself in Tamil Nadu, is aiming to capture a few seats, including Vedaranyam.
Vedharathinam, belonging to the vanniyar community, a dominant group in the constituency, was elected to the assembly in 1991, 2001 and 2006 on a DMK ticket. Following a strained relationship with DMK leaders, he quit in 2011 and contested as an independent and was defeated by AIADMK's NV Kamaraj.
"I've won three out of the four times I have contested in Vedaranyam. People know me and that's my strength. The PM's campaign will increase my chances of winning," said Vedharathinam, adding that caste alone won't play a role in his victory.
PMK is also fielding a vanniyar candidate, Usha Kannan. However, Congress, which is in alliance with DMK, and AIADMK have chosen candidates from the thevar community, which is equally dominant.
AIADMK's OS Manian is a senior leader and the Mayiladuturai MP, while Congress' PV Rajendran was elected from Vedaranyam in 1989 and 1991. With these permutations and combinations, it will be the small number of Muslim voters who might just play the deciding role in a close contest.
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