Thanjavur: A keen contest is on the cards in the Thanjavur Lok Sabha constituency between DMK and TMC (Moopanar), which is contesting from the only one seat in Tamil Nadu in alliance with the AIADMK-BJP-PMK-DMDK and other parties.
Though candidates of T.T.V. Dhinkaran's AMMK, Seeman's Naam Thamizhar Katchi, Kamala Hasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam and some independents are in the fray, the main contest is between DMK and TMC (Moopanar).
The DMK has fielded a political heavy weight S.S.Palanimanickam, former union minister and who has contested parliament elections eight times in the past from 1984 and this is the ninth one he is contesting. He was not given a seat in the 2014 polls as the party fielded T.R. Baalu, former union minister as its candidate. But Baalu lost to K. Parasuraman of AIADMK.
Palanimanickam lost three elections in the beginning but won five times from 1996. (1996, 1998, 1999, 2004 and 2009). Palanimanickam, who is confident of winning this election too, explains to people about his efforts for modernising grand anicut canal, establishing Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology, introducing Uzhavan express from Thanjavur to Chennai and getting national highway approved by centre from Perambalur to Manamadurai.
TMC(Moopanar) has fielded a political lightweight N.R. Nadarajan, brother of N.R.Rangarajan, three times MLA of Pattukottai as its candidate. With EC declining the demand of TMC (Moopanar) for the cycle symbol on the grounds that the party should contest at least two seats, the party settled for Autorickshaw symbol which it has to take to people. However, Nadarajan hails from a family of political tradition which has clout in Pattukottai area. Nadarajan pins his hopes on this familiarity of his family and strength of alliance partners like AIADMK, BJP, DMDK and PMK.
With Pattukottai, Peravurani and Mannargudi assembly segments falling under Thanjavur Lok Sabha constituency 'Gaja' cyclone, its impact (devastation) and response from political parties to the calamity have become poll issue in the constituency. Nadarajan says that the state government has reached relief to coconut farmers affected by Gaja cyclone. This will help him. Palanimanickam's contention is that relief had not reached people fully and many were left out. He assures to do the needful for the rehabilitation of coconut farmers and sustain the growth of new seedlings planted.
Thanjavur Lok Sabha constituency comprises of six assembly segments-Thanjavur, Thiruvaiyaru, Orathanadu, Pattukottai and Peravurani in Thanjavur district and Mannargudi in TIruvarur district. Predominantly agrarian, coconut farmers affected by 'Gaja' constitute the major chunk of voters in Pattukottai, Peravurani and Mannargudi assembly segments. Caste-wise DMK and AMMK have fielded candidates belonging to Kallar community while TMC (Moopanar) candidate belongs to Thevar community.
These two caste groups have sizable votes in the constituency.
Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, TMC (Moopanar) president G.K.Vasan and Premlatha Vijaykanth of DMDK have already campaigned for Nadarajan. M.K.Stalin, DMK president, Vaiko, MDMK general secretary and communist leaders R.Mutharasan, U.Vasuki have campaigned for Palanimanickam.
Environment issues like proposed Methane project and proposed hydrocarbon projects remain poll issues. All political parties have assured that they will not take up projects that would be detrimental to the interests of farmers.
As the polling date is fast nearing, candidates are engaged in hectic campaign in whatever possible ways they can do. But the outcome will depend upon how the farmers who constitute the major voters respond.
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