Cadre of the AIADMK and AMMK in southern districts are in an upbeat mood following the reunion of the two parties under the aegis of the NDA to fight the upcoming Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.
In the southern region, the AIADMK had traditionally enjoyed the backing of the Mukkulathor community. However, after Edappadi K. Palaniswami assumed charge as general secretary, the AIADMK was believed to have lost that advantage. Electoral outcomes in constituencies such as Melur, Thirumangalam and Usilampatti in Madurai district; Andipatti in Theni; Mudukalathur in Ramanathapuram; and several seats in Virudhunagar district reflected this setback. The period also witnessed intense campaigning, with incidents of violence reported during the visits of senior leaders.
With AMMK founder T.T.V. Dhinakaran’s return to the NDA fold, AIADMK cadre believe the alliance has regained much-needed strength.
“In an Assembly election, even a few hundred or a few thousand votes can decide the outcome in a close contest,” said a party functionary, citing Andipatti as an example. In the last election, the DMK secured 44.9% of the vote, while the AIADMK polled 40.8% and the AMMK 5.7%, enabling the DMK to win the seat. The coming together of the AIADMK and the AMMK, cadre say, has already boosted morale on the ground.
