Loyalties swing left and right in Tiruvannamalai

Vanniyar quota may have both positive and negative impact on AIADMK

DMK president M.K. Stalin last week denounced attempts to paint his party as anti-Hindu and said spirituality and politics were different for the Tamil people. He made these remarks while campaigning in Tiruvannamalai town, which welcomes lakhs of Hindu devotees to the ancient Arunachaleswarar Temple every month. The DMK is contesting in all eight seats — Tiruvannamalai, Kilpennathur, Chengam, Polur, Vandavasi, Kalasapakkam, Arani and Cheyyar — in the district. He reiterated the DMK’s promises that his government would allot ₹1,000 crore for renovation of temples and provide funds to Hindu devotees for religious tourism. DMK heavyweight E.V. Velu is contesting against BJP candidate Thanigaivel in the temple town. The other DMK candidates, including incumbents K. Pichandi, M.P. Giri, K.V. Sekaran and Ambethkumar, are pitted against AIADMK candidates in six seats and the PMK candidate in one seat. The AIADMK has fielded heavyweights such as Agri Krishnamurthy in Polur and Chevvoor Ramachandran in Arni.