Tamil Nadu polls: Candidates turn to family members to strike a chord

TRICHY: As electioneering gathers pace, candidates are taking the help of their family members to add an emotional touch to what at times is a fiery and also personal campaign. From going door to door to accompanying candidates in campaign vehicles, family members are seeking to strike a chord with voters.In Pudukottai's Viralimalai, AIADMK MLA and former minister C Vijayabaskar, who was one of the first to kick off campaign, is accompanied by his daughter and wife at several outreach programmes in the constituency. "More than asking for votes for my dad, I'm proud to ask for votes for the son of your homes. He likes jallikattu, sports, but more than all, he likes the people of Viralimalai," says his daughter Ritanya Priyadharshini, while addressing voters from atop a campaign vehicle. His wife Ramya adds, "People here tell me that if there was space to add his name to the ration card, they would wish to include him as well." In Thirumangalam, Madurai, deputy leader of opposition R B Udhayakumar has also been campaigning with his daughter Priyadarshini by his side. "My father loves the people of Thirumangalam more than his own family. He will fulfil every election promise he has made, even if it requires him to sacrifice his very life. The EPS govt will prioritise women's safety and the public," says she. The trend cuts across parties. In Pudukottai's Thirumayam, DMK MLA and minister Regupathy is accompanied by his son Annamalai during campaign events. "I have been actively reaching out to voters for over a year, especially through our free special medical drives," said Annamalai, deputy secretary of DMK's state medical wing. He was strongly rumoured to be named candidate instead of his father. In Trichy's Thiruverumbur constituency, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi's wife Janani is engaging with rural voters. In Karur, even as Senthilbalaji shifted his electoral contest to Coimbatore South, his brother Ashok —who is alleged by the opposition to have been in hiding following ED arrest of Balaji — is actively involved in campaigning for the party's replacement candidate in Karur segment. With social media amplifying the narrative, DMK Jolarpettai candidate Kavitha Dhandapani's daughter seeking votes door-door is doing the rounds.