Coimbatore : Riding on the pro Dhinakaran voters in Coimbatore East, the veteran AIADMK member who is now contesting for the Dhinakaran led Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazhagam (AMMK), could well be a deciding factor in Lok Sabha Polls in a constituency dominated by AIADMK
Coimbatore : Riding on the pro Dhinakaran voters in Coimbatore East, the veteran AIADMK member who is now contesting for the Dhinakaran led Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazhagam (AMMK), could well be a deciding factor in Lok Sabha Polls in a constituency dominated by AIADMK
Despite predictions putting him in the third spot behind the candidates of the National Democratic Alliance and Secular Progressive Alliance in Coimbatore, N.R. Appadurai, who is contesting in the Gift Pack symbol is poised to play a decisive role in the constituency.
The 67-year-old Appadurai who is contesting in Coimbatore for the first time, is already facing a tough opposition in P.R. Natarajan from CPI (M) and C.P. Radhakrishnan BJP, who have earlier been selected from the constituency in the past.
Though he does not carry the popularity factor like his competitors, what Appadurai does have is a strong voter base in the Eastern region of the constituency, created by ground work and the TTV Dhinakaran factor.
Hailing from Sadayakoundanpudhur in Pollachi, Appadurai who has a Bachelor’s degree had earlier stood in assembly elections in Kinakuthukidavu constituency and came second in 1989 contesting for former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa’s faction.
Appadurai had always been an ardent AIADMK functionary since joining the party in 1972. He has been a member during the rule of former AIADMK Chief Ministers M.G Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa.
His former political life has largely circulated around Pollachi where he has had several posts including Union Secretary, District Joint Secretary and District Secretary. The Jayalalithaa Government also offered him a chance to serve as the Chairman of Aavin between 1992 and 1996.
When the AIADMK went into major administrational shifts after the death of Jayalalithaa – despite most of the cadre choosing to pledge allegiance to the EPS-OPS faction, Appadurai decided to be loyal to the Dhinakaran faction who was eventually ousted from AIADMK.
Appadurai sealed his support to Dhinakaran when he offered open support to the party cadre who were arrested at Vadavalli after a protest in 2018.
However, not many thought he would be fielded in from Coimbatore and there was confusion among the party cadre when he was announced as the candidate as a few names including the son of former MLA Challenger Durai Senthil were already on the fray.
Yet, Appadurai’s name began to gain momentum within the party as senior leaders including Challenger Durai and Chinnasamy seconded his name. With support from his party cadre, Appadurai is also seeing a positive wave in eastern region.
According to party sources, a strong vote base has been created for the Dhinakaran led AMMK in the regions that are dominated by the Thevar Community. “Our leader was given a rousing reception in Ramanthapuram when he came here a week ago. Most of the AIADMK cadre from here have shifted their allegiance to Dhinakaran which would be an influential factor for other areas,” said a party functionary.
The party also seems to garner support day by day in areas including Sulur and Palladam that fall under the Coimbatore Constituency and cadre claim that the rising fame of the party’s Deputy General Secretary Dhinakaran and ground work by functionaries have contributed for the same.
“Most of the AIADMK cadre here decided that the EPS-OPS faction may not be able to take forward the legacy of Amma. Dhinakaran is the only way forward for AIADMK cadre and most of the part cadre know this. Not just this region, soon the entire AIADMK cadre from all over the State will follow Dhinakaran,” he said.