MMK nibbling into Aiyar’s Muslim vote bank

Express News Service

First Published : 08 May 2009 03:53:00 AM IST

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NAGAPATTINAM: Two MMKs-Manithaneya Makkal Katchi and Moovendar Munnetra Kazhagam-seem to be playing a crucial role in the poll prospects of Mani Shankar Aiyar, Union Minister and Mayiladuthurai Congress candidate. While the former seems to play the spoilsport, the latter has come for his rescue.

Ever since his political debut in Mayiladuthurai in 1991, Aiyar has maintained a close relationship with the Muslim community. But this time he could face a challenge from Jawahirullah. The Manithaneya Makkal Katchi leader is a well-known person among Muslims is contesting from Mayiladuthurai and has visited the ‘Muslim belts’ in the constituency several times, looking to garner votes. Many youngsters are seen actively working for him.

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), part of the DMK-led alliance, has started campaigning for him in Muslim belts to nullify the ‘Jawahirullah effect’. Rajakumar, Aiyar’s close aide and Mayiladuthurai MLA, is busy gathering Muslim leaders to campaign for Aiyar.

On the other hand, Sridhar Vandaiyar’s Moovendar Munnetra Kazhagam, which had parted ways with the AIADMK recently, has also offered its support to the DMK-led alliance. This could prove crucial for Aiyar in winning the votes of the Thevar community which would have otherwise gone en masse to AIADMK’s O S Manian.