The Ramanathapuram Lok Sabha constituency, which was expected to acquire the status of a ‘VVIP constituency’ in the wake of reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had plans to enter the fray from there, has retained its high-profile status after former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam chose to contest from here as an Independent candidate backed by the BJP-led NDA.
Having lost the battle for the AIADMK leadership, he is contesting on the ‘jackfruit’ symbol. He is the second former Chief Minister after K. Kamaraj to contest in Lok Sabha election. BJP Tamil Nadu president K. Annamalai has promised that if Mr. Panneerselvam gets elected, it would change the fortunes of the constituency as he was “Mr. Modi’s personal choice”.
While his supporters and well-wishers are confident that Mr. Panneerselvam would win, at least by a slender margin, his opponents predict his defeat. Mr. Panneerselvam seeks to consolidate the votes of the Mukkulathor community, who have a substantial presence in the constituency. Tamizhaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam founder John Pandian, an ally of the NDA, is trying his best to garner the votes of the Devendrakula Vellalars, another strong vote bank in the constituency. The campaign of AMMK founder T.T.V. Dhinakaran has also enthused the workers at the grassroots. “After decades of rivalry, the Mukkulathor and the Devendrakula Vellalar have come together on the same plank to vote for Mr. Panneerselvam. This is a big achievement,” said Dharani R. Murugesan, president, district unit of the BJP.
