Too many ills plague DMK front in Coimbatore

By G. Satyamurty

COIMBATORE, MAY 6. The AIADMK front seems to have an edge in Coimbatore district. Several factors including a formidable alliance of major parties, anti-incumbency, selection of candidates and local issues have contributed to the present trend.

And, two paramount factors are the ``intensive campaigning'' by the AIADMK leader, Ms. Jayalalitha, and the MDMK cutting into the DMK vote bank.

Though Ms.Jayalalitha was scheduled to campaign in the district only for two days, she extended it by one day. This is because of the ``overwhelming reception'' she received from the public, according to party sources.

In contrast, the DMK president and the Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, spent hardly three hours in the district and could not even touch most of the constituencies. Now the DMK has to campaign not only for its own candidates but also of the allies. Moreover, there seems to be little coordination between the second-rung leaders and the cadres of these parties.

The BJP, its only major partner in the alliance, itself could contribute very little to the campaigning. Feeling ignored by the DMK, it has requested the Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani, to campaign at least in Tirupur. However, another party candidate, in Coimbatore East, has to fend for himself.

The DPI and the Puthiya Thamizhgam which have one reserved seat each tied down with campaigning in their own segments.

The MDMK, which has fielded candidates in 13 of the 15 constituencies, is certain to split the DMK votes and this might prove costly for the DMK in close contests. Party sources are also confident that the MDMK would be the main contestant against the AIADMK in some rural constituencies.

Some of the DMK MLAs, who have been renominated, are facing the anti-incumbency factor. Their major worry is that their Government could not do much to arrest the industrial recession which resulted in loss of employment to thousands of workers.

A major grouse among the textile workers here is that their wage accord which lapsed almost three years ago had not yet been renewed. They alleged that the State Government did nothing to prevent the units closing down. Even the Government doles had not reached most of the workers.

Similarly, coconut growers think that the State Government left them in the lurch when the prices slumped. Even copra procurement triggered a spate of allegations.

Sugarcane farmers are sore that the DMK had ``duped'' them, after promising Rs.1000 per tonne of cane in 1996 itself. The delay in settlement of their dues by sugar mills is also a major issue.

A section of the farmers is unhappy that the Avanashi- Athikadavu Scheme which could help in tiding over water scarcity in a number of constituencies is yet to take off.

In Pollachi and Tirupur, the selection of the candidates in the DMK front, has caused resentment.

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Section  : State Elections
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