News Tamil Nadu

Disgruntled Voters & ADMK Cadre Alike Chase Cong MP Jothimani Away During Her Campaign In Dindigul

April 8, 2024
The Commune

Every time the incumbent MP, Jothimani, ventures out to garner votes for her re-election in the Karur constituency or when she advocates for her alliance partners during campaigns, she encounters significant opposition from the region she visits. This pattern has been observed in past and continues unconditionally, as the unrest persists whenever she resumes campaigning. The youth and the public repeatedly confront her about unfulfilled electoral promise

Jothimani conducted a campaign in Nagampatti Village in Vedasandur on 6 April 2024. Upon concluding the campaign in the Nagampatti region, Jothimani exited the campaign van and prepared to depart. However, a confrontation arose when a young man intercepted Jothimani, accusing her of failing to fulfill promises made during the previous election regarding employment opportunities. Vasant, a 26-year-old graduate from Nagampatti, blocked Congress MP Jothimani’s car and questioned her, stating, “You said that if you win the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, you will get government jobs for many youths, have you created jobs for anyone?” The youth continued to press Jothimani, demanding evidence of job creation in the town or block, emphasizing that he had voted solely for him and deserved answers. The situation escalated, prompting party cadres to intervene and attempt to calm the youth.

Responding to the questions, Jothimani exited the car and urgently summoned reporters. Unexpectedly, when the young man inquired about her commitment, Jothimani attributed the lack of job opportunities for youth, attributing it to the BJP government under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, stating, “This is a consequence of the Modi administration.” She stated that if the Congress were to come into power with Rahul Gandhi as Prime Minister, they would undoubtedly create numerous job opportunities for people. Afterwards, Jothimani got back into the car and fled the scene.

Afterwards when the Congress cadres attempted to calm the frustrated youth, they asked, “What can she do?” In response, the angered youth retorted,“If she can’t do it, why are you coming to seek votes” The Congress cadres countered, “It has been 10 years, who is in the administration?” To this, the irate youth replied, “Please, do not cheat the people like this, go away” 

Upon returning from a campaign, Congress MP Jothimani found herself confronted by ADMK activists, led by a young woman, who abruptly intercepted her car at Kovilur Ramanathapuram, near Vedasandur. Allegations were made that Jothimani had made derogatory remarks about the former AIADMK legislator VPP Paramasivan.

A heated exchange ensued between Jothimani and the AIADMK members, causing a significant commotion in the area, lasting for over thirty minutes, as they bombarded her with questions, preventing her car from moving. However, DMK MLA Gandhirajan of the Vedasandur Constituency, traveling with Jothimani’s car, intervened and managed to calm the situation, including pacifying the agitated young woman.

Despite Gandhirajan’s efforts, the young woman persistently questioned him, demanding explanations for purported remarks made about her relative. Both Gandhirajan and VPP Paramasivam, the former AIADMK MLA, are cousins, and the young woman who intercepted Jothimani’s car is also related to them.

During Jothimani’s election campaign in March 2024 in the Kodankipatti Adi Dravidar area, residents raised queries, notably woman directly confronted Jyotimani. She questioned Jyotimani’s absence over the past five years and voiced skepticism regarding her sudden appearance seeking votes. She said, “I haven’t seen you for five years. Never came here. Now you have come only to ask for votes.” The exchange caused a stir, with DMK officials intervening to defuse the situation.

Jyotimani responded, “I’ve been actively participating in Parliament, raising questions, and advocating for people’s issues.” She defended her record amidst the scrutiny.

As the election season progresses, the incident highlights the challenges facing incumbents seeking reelection and underscores the importance of accountability and responsiveness to constituents’ concerns.

The outcome of the elections will ultimately determine whether Jyotimani secures another term as the Karur Member of Parliament.

This follows the pattern of the public openly showing their emotions over their increasing dissatisfaction with the ruling DMK and its alliance. In the past week, several such incidents occurred throughout various constituencies:

  • South Chennai DMK MP Tamizhachi Thangapandian was turned away by the residents of Mylapore over unfulfilled promises and her long absence. 
  • Central Chennai DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran faced hard questions from his constituents over unfulfilled promises.
  • North Chennai DMK MP Kalanidhi Veerasamy also faced similar treatment by the public especially over his absence after the devastating floods following Cyclone Michaung.
  • DMK MLA VG Rajendran, an assembly member, who was campaigning for Congress candidate Sasikanth Senthil in Tiruvallur faced a barrage of questions and opposition from the people. 
  • DMK candidate Thanga Tamil Selvan‘s campaign in Theni was interrupted by a youth to voice concerns about the lack of road facilities in his area for over two decades. 
  • Karur Congress MP Jothimani also faced tough questions from constituents during her campaign in Kodankipatti Adi Dravidar residential area.
  • Minister Anitha Radhakrishnan campaigned for Congress candidate C Robert Bruce in Tirunelveli Lok Sabha Constituency, local residents in Mukkudal town questioned the minister on Mahalir Urimi and water supply shortages, prompting his hasty retreat in his car.
  • P Chidambaram, campaigning for his son Karthi Chidambaram in Sivagangai, faced discontent from women voters over issues like a TASMAC shop’s presence, they demanded accountability, warning against seeking votes without addressing concerns, while Karthi’s absence added to discontent. This made Chidambaram hastily leave the scene midway.
  • Madurantakam campaign Udhayanidhi Stalin faced criticism from women voters over shutting down TASMAC liquor stores, which challenged DMK’s commitments. He deflected responsibilities onto the former government, sidestepping direct commitments to shut down all TASMAC shops.
  • Perambalur DMK MLA Prabhakaran campaigning for Arun Nehru, son of Minister KN Nehru, faced a barrage of questions from the gathered crowd asking what he did for the people of the constituency; disheartened by the reception, abruptly ended his campaign and left the locality.
  • Perambalur Campaign for DMK MP Kathir Anand faced harsh questioning from a resident about unfulfilled promises, prompting an altercation. The DMK MLA Prabhakaran responded disrespectfully, leading to further criticism, culminating in both officials abruptly leaving the scene.

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