<p>Caste factor will play a major role in deciding the fate of MDMK chief Vaiko, who faces a tough battle in the Virudhunagar Lok Sabha constituency which has given the state three chief ministers, the late Kamaraj and MGR, and O Panneerselvam, who is now the Finance Minister.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Vaiko, who lost in 2009 to Congress’ B Manicka Tagore by 15,764 votes, is hoping to win this time with the support of BJP-led NDA. The two-time MP, Vaiko, is contesting for the fifth time. <br /><br />He is facing a tough competition from a confident Manicka Tagore, who is seeking re-election. Other candidates in the fray in the constituency, which has a total electorate of 14,23,360, including 7,18,746 women, are P Radhakrishnan (AIADMK), who is the chairman of the Sivakasi Panchayat Union, S Rathinavelu (DMK) and K Samuel Raj (CPM).<br /><br />Virudhunagar comprises the Assembly segments of Virudhunagar, Sivakasi, Aruppukottai, Sattur and Tirupparankundram and Tirumangalam (in Madurai district).<br /><br />Caste equations will play an important role, where dominant Mukkulathors form around 30 percent of the total electorate, followed by Telugu-speaking Naickers, Gavara, Kamma and Kambalathar communities, besides substantial presence of the Scheduled Caste.<br /><br />While Vaiko is banking on the strength of the NDA and the Narendra Modi wave, Tagore sounded confident of entering the Lok Sabha for a second term based on his achievements and the resounding success of the Congress-led UPA’s Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).</p>
<p>Caste factor will play a major role in deciding the fate of MDMK chief Vaiko, who faces a tough battle in the Virudhunagar Lok Sabha constituency which has given the state three chief ministers, the late Kamaraj and MGR, and O Panneerselvam, who is now the Finance Minister.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Vaiko, who lost in 2009 to Congress’ B Manicka Tagore by 15,764 votes, is hoping to win this time with the support of BJP-led NDA. The two-time MP, Vaiko, is contesting for the fifth time. <br /><br />He is facing a tough competition from a confident Manicka Tagore, who is seeking re-election. Other candidates in the fray in the constituency, which has a total electorate of 14,23,360, including 7,18,746 women, are P Radhakrishnan (AIADMK), who is the chairman of the Sivakasi Panchayat Union, S Rathinavelu (DMK) and K Samuel Raj (CPM).<br /><br />Virudhunagar comprises the Assembly segments of Virudhunagar, Sivakasi, Aruppukottai, Sattur and Tirupparankundram and Tirumangalam (in Madurai district).<br /><br />Caste equations will play an important role, where dominant Mukkulathors form around 30 percent of the total electorate, followed by Telugu-speaking Naickers, Gavara, Kamma and Kambalathar communities, besides substantial presence of the Scheduled Caste.<br /><br />While Vaiko is banking on the strength of the NDA and the Narendra Modi wave, Tagore sounded confident of entering the Lok Sabha for a second term based on his achievements and the resounding success of the Congress-led UPA’s Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).</p>