Chennai: With Lok Sabha elections around the corner, politicians cutting across party lines have been using various ‘tricks’ to get the attention of the people. Right from filing of their nomination papers to going and meeting the public, they have been indulging in acts that are avidly discussed on social media and television channels. Interestingly, a goof-up by a few who turned up to file their papers, especially independents, have also hogged the headlines. More fun ahead of the polls has kept net-savvy voters busy.
HIP-HOP SHOW
For the Vilathikulam Assembly constituency, where a by-election is to be held 18 April, farmer Ranganathan chose to file his papers as an Independent. Nothing different in that. But the way he came to file the papers baffled everyone. Ranganathan chose to hop on one leg (nondi in Tamil) all the way from his residence to the taluk office. When asked why he would torture himself like that he said, “It is a symbolic gesture to tell everyone about the pitiable condition of farmers. We live in distress. Now the message has been conveyed well to everyone because I chose an unconventional way to file my nomination papers.”
LATE BUT LATEST
Believe me when I say that an Independent candidate came to file his papers and chose to return without submitting them. What’s more, he chose to extend his support to a candidate from a major political party before leaving. In the Vilathikulam Assembly constituency, David, an Independent candidate, came late to file his papers. And when the EC officials refused to receive it, he vociferously extended his support to the AMMK candidate standing at the venue.
CHANGE IS PERMANENT
Muneeswaran, the Makkal Needhi Maiam candidate for Tenkasi parliamentary constituency, had no money with him to buy the nomination paper. As the deadline to to get the paper neared last evening, he chose to collect money from his supporters gathered at the office. For a ‘change’, he surprised the officers by paying them in ‘coins’.
ALL THE WAY FROM ARABIA
Allah Pichai, who chose to contest as an Independent from Ramanathapuram, came dressed in a Dubai sheikh outfit to file his nomination papers and carried a suitcase with him. When he was denied permission to carry the suitcase, he resisted. Eventually, after a thorough search, he was let in.
HORSE RIDE
The election officials were surprised when Independent candidate Noor Mohammad came on horseback to file his papers. The policemen on duty insisted that he leave his horse outside the premises and walk with his supporters to file his papers. After putting up resistance and arguing with them, he finally agreed to walk.
(UN)RESERVED
When Independent candidate Raman came to submit his papers to election authorities to contest in the Poonamallee by-election, he was shocked when they asked him to take it back. On questioning, he was informed that it was a Reserve constituency. They said in case of rejection, it would mean that he would not get his deposit money back. However, Raman insisted they accept his papers.
NALLA NERAM
Periyakulam’s AMMK candidate Kadhirkamu went all the way to file his nomination papers. But, he eventually chose to wait before handing over the papers to the officials. Reason, the candidate wanted to wait for ‘nalla neram’ to arrive. The officials patiently waited out the three minutes.