In a surprise development, MDMK founder Vaiko in Tamil Nadu on Monday announced that he will not contest the May 16 Assembly polls.
Though Vaiko came to the RDO office amid black flag protests by a particular caste group in Kovilpatti constituency, the nomination was filed by DMDK candidate Vinayaka Ramesh. “I took this decision after consulting with my party senior functionaries”, Vaiko said.
Justifying his decision, Vaiko said some caste-based groups were continously targeting him and indulging in violent activities in Kovilpatti constituency. He also said that the DMK was propagating that he (Vaiko) belonged to a particular caste.
However, MDMK sources told DH that Thevar community constitutes about 60% in Kovilpatti.
“Since Vaiko belongs to Naikar community. He (Vaiko) feels that he might not get Thevar votes since his opponent DMK candidate R Subramanian belongs to that caste”, Devaraj, a senior MDMK functionary said.
He also said that on Sunday a group, claiming to be from Thevar community, attempted to prevent him (Vaiko) from placing a garland on the statue of freedom fighter Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar for accusing the Thevar community of being involved with the recent honour killing incident at Udumalpet in Tiruppur.
After a gap of two decades, Vaiko was expected to test his electoral fortunes in the upcoming polls by contesting from Kovilpatti constituency.
Vaiko is a popular figure in Kovilpatti since he contested for Lok Sabha seat in the neighbouring Virudhunagar where he lost to AIADMK candidate. Moreover, when he was the member of Parliament in 1999, Vaiko helped the Kovilpatti people in getting the Centre’s nod to construct flyovers and roads in that area.
With the star candidate Vaiko refraining from contesting in Kovilpatti, it will be direct fight between the ruling AIADMK candidate and sitting MLA Kadambur Raju and DMK’s Subramanian.
Water scarcity, lack of industries and wage regulation of match box unit labourers are the main problems of Kovilpatti voters. Kovilpatti Assembly constituency, which is also known for groundnut candy business, has 2, 44,448 voters with 1, 21,311 men, 1,23,134 women and three transgenders.