February 23, 1998

Sivaganga Tamil Nadu
Electorate: 10.6 lakh
Main Rival: K Kalimuthu (AIADMK)

Travelling with P. Chidambaram on the campaign trail is dangerous business. You are constantly forced to duck in fear of being hit by a flying compliment. "Like thambi (younger brother) Rajnikanth is the superstar of Tamil filmdom, thambi Chidambaram is the superstar among Indian ministers," says Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. Generous?

Listen to P.R. Periyakaruppan of the TMC: "We tell the voters they are going to elect the finance minister of India, who is more important than the prime minister." Surely the 51-year-old Chidambaram, seeking a fifth-in-a-row victory -- thrice as a Congressman and in 1996 as rebel TMC candidate -- must be blushing. Not quite. As he himself says, "Today, Parliament cannot decide anything without the approval of Tamil Nadu MPs. Even at the international level, Tamil ministers represent the country. While I met US President Bill Clinton, Anna Maran met British Prime Minister Tony Blair. So you must vote for me to form OUR government at the Centre. Will you?" For 15 years they have been saying yes.

-- L R Jagadheesan

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