By Mohd Ismail Khan, TwoCircles.net,
Mayiladuthurai: Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazagham’s political wing Manithaneya Makkal Katchi candidate Hyder Ali got a major boost with DMK chief M. Kurnanidhi’s personal campaign for his candidature.
On Friday evening a massive crowd turned out in Mayiladuthurai town to hear Mr. Karunanidhi. on a wide road near main bus stand which was transformed into an election stage. The venue was all decked up with life size posters of Mr. Karunanaidhi and his heir M.K. Stalin.
A song playing ‘Hyder Ali ko vote Purddu ge’ by a music band enthralled thousands of crowd. Women dressed in traditional attire also made a dance performance on folk songs, which was largely concentrated on attracting fishermen community votes.
Strong musical pitch songs were played criticizing chief minister J. Jayalalithaa and mocking her to be afraid to visit Bangalore, which the singers called her native place.
The skyline was dominated by large hoardings of Karunanidhi and Stalin in cinematic style with Hyder Ali’s face below trying to enforce his acceptability among traditional DMK voters.
MMK which has two members in legislative assembly has gone in alliance with DMK, Muslim league and other Dalit political parties for parliamentary elections.
MMK is contesting from Mayiladuthurai parliament seat with alliance support. Its candidate Hyder Ali is a former state wakf board chairman and one of the founding leaders of the party.
Abdul Samad state secretary of MMK told the crowd that India is getting into the fold of fascists forces, directing at Narendra Modi, he said the way to break it will be shown from Mayildathurai.
Different alliance partners also addressed the congregation praising Hyder Ali as ‘Tiger Ali’, criticizing Modi and his ‘secret ally’ Jayslaithaa.
MMK chief and MLA Prof. Jawaharullah in his fiery speech also criticized his former ally Jailalitha and asked Tamil people to unite behind a great and true Dravidian ‘Kalignar’ (leader) Karunanidhi.
Senior DMK leader Durai Murgun praised late IUML president Mohammed Ismail popularly known in Tamil Nadu as Quaide-e-Millat. He said Quaid-e-Millat was true Dravidian who opposed Jinnah. Mr. Murugan said Islam is an integral part of Dravidian society.
Last was the turn of wheelchair seated star speaker, whose even clearing of throat before speech called for wild screams. Accompanied by his wife Rajathi DMK chief drawn his whole speech on the historic associatin of Dravidian movement with Muslim movement in the state. “This is not an alliance of electoral convenience, our and your movement shares a common history,” Karunanidhi said.
Mr. Karunanidhi boosted about the fact that his party has fielded two Muslim candidates and supporting one in this parliamentary elections. In this same way he said, “If we play a major role in Govt. formation at center, we will assure proper representation for the Muslim community.”
DMK chief also took a dig at Narendra Modi and BJP. He said, “In BJP’s manifesto they call for uniform civil code, building of Ram Mandir. If he (Modi) comes to power in center, secular and plural ethos of India will be destroyed.”
He said DMK relations with Muslims are eternal, “I cannot be separated from Muslims”, he said in midst of cheers from crowd mostly comprising of Tamil Muslims.
Ending his speech Karunanidhi told that it was a moral responsibility to campaign on behalf of the MMK despite his intense campaign schedule, “Give vote to Hyder Ali as you will give it to me, your vote to him will be a vote for me. Believe this, Karunanidhi is himself contesting from Mayiladuthurai.”
Hyder Ali is facing intense competition in this eastern coastal town from Congress candidate and former union minister Mani Shankar Aiyer and AIADMK candidate Bharati Mohan.
MMK had contested the last election in alliance with the AIAMDK.