February 23, 1998

Murasoli Maran
DMK

Madras Central  Tamil Nadu
Electorate: 10.4 lakh
Main Rival: Krishnamurthy (BJP)

Walking the bylanes of Chennai, the ubiquitous band in attendance, TMC-DMK candidate Murasoli Maran's behaviour raises suspicion that he graduated in public relations. The industry minister has an eye for detail, an ability to bond. Bending down to receive an aarti welcome, a baby is thrust into his hands. He has to name it. No problem. In one hand he clutches the baby, in the other a mike, pauses as an aide whispers the gender, then intones dramatically: "I name her Mallika." Next lane, next baby.

Meanwhile, his eye has caught something: flags on 15 ft tall pipes resting on the van ahead are blocking the view of the voters on building balconies. Not good. His face has been touched up with rose powder, powerful lights are fixed on him; useless if they can't see him, so the flags are lowered. Here and there, speeches are thrown in: a reminder of how the United Front was betrayed, promises of a secular government. And for all the talk of J. Jayalalitha's resurgence, he knows that with the blessing of his uncle, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, he remains a potent candidate.

But speeches are forgotten, it is the touch of the politician that lingers. A young woman wants an autograph and he readily obliges. But as he moves away, he reminds her: "Take your autograph and return the vote-o-graph." Everyone giggles. Another vote in the pocket?

-- K M Thomas

Back to Carnival

Write to us | Subscriptions

© Living Media India Ltd