News Tamil Nadu

“Why Did You Come Here Now?” North Chennai Incumbent DMK MP Kalanidhi Veerasamy Faces Backlash Of Public

March 29, 2024
The Commune 
Image Source: Hindu Tamil

DMK candidate Kalanidhi Veerasamy initiated his campaign in Tiruvottiyur for the North Chennai Lok Sabha constituency, followed by a vote collection program at the Urban Habitat Development Board residence in Kolathur constituency Gautamapuram. Mayor R. Priya and Minister P. K. Shekharbabu led the event, distributing leaflets outlining DMK’s achievements and election manifesto features to voters. 

However, tensions arose when women in the area questioned the party’s motives, citing their exclusion from relief efforts during the December floods despite residing in the Urban Habitat Development Board flats. The women expressed frustration, stating that they were being approached for votes despite being neglected during times of need.  During the event, the women gathered there looked at the DMK members and said, “Why have you come here?”. They started an argument saying that our votes are not eligible for relief on behalf of the party. 

In this regard, the women said, “840 families live in these Urban Habitat Development Board flats. We were all affected by the floods last December, unable to go out. At that time only certain people were given tokens and provided relief and welfare assistance on behalf of the party. When we asked the party members why they did not give us relief, the party members said ‘Did you hold the party flag, raise slogans, come in a procession, why should we give you relief?'”

The ladies complained that they were asking why candidates come to ask for votes from them especially when they are told htat they are not even eligible for such relief.

DMK officials intervened to placate the situation, with Minister Sekhar Babu and candidate Kalanidhi addressing the concerns before the situation escalated. 

This incident echoes similar treatment received by DMK MPs in South Chennai and Central Chennai constituencies. In Mylapore, the incumbent South Chennai MP Tamizhachi Thangapandian was turned away by residents in Bharathi Nagar in the Mylapore locality of South Chennai constituency. 

This saw a repeat with DMK’s Central Chennai incumbent MP Dayanidhi Maran. Maran seeking re-election from the same constituency, faced opposition from Lock Nagar residents over unfulfilled promises. 

(with inputs from Hindu Tamil)

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