Religion, caste hold key to poll outcome in parched Vellore

CHENNAI: AMatheen Ahmed, a resident of Jameelabad Colony in Vellore, buys 1,000 litres of water twice a week to cater to the needs of his family of six. With piped water being supplied once in 15 days, he and others in the area have no option but to depend on water tankers, paying more than they can afford.
The scene is similar elsewhere in this parched constituency where farming, a major occupation along with weaving, has come to a standstill.Water scarcity is a major factor, but communal and caste divisions may play a bigger role in deciding the election outcome this time.
The constituency has 20% Muslims, who are expected to vote for the sitting MP, M Abdul Rahaman of IUML. Among Hindus, 24% are mudaliyars, a factor which has prompted AIADMK, BJP and Congress to field candidates from the community. Though BJP is hoping to cash in on the communal polarisation, the main fight is between IUML, which is part of the DMK front, and AIADMK. Congress has won from here five times, DMK thrice and AIADMK, PMK and IUML twice each.
Water shortage was a major factor in previous elections, too, but the crisis has worsened over the years. Groundwater levels have fallen due to overexploitation and Palar river, once a source of water for the region, is bone dry. Another key issue is power shortage with the region facing five to six hours of unannounced load-shedding every day, crippling businesses and industries.
Dr Ramu Manivannan, professor in political science at University of Madras, said: “The constituency has more problems than it can handle, major among them waterlogging of roads and contamination of Palar by leather industries.” Though these may weigh against the sitting MP and the ruling party, it’s likely they will be overshadowed by caste and religious considerations when it comes to voting.