http://ibnlive.in.com/news/dalit-contestant-seeks-votes-by-hailing-thevar/194337-60-118.html
Tamil Nadu | Posted on Oct 19, 2011 at 08:55am IST
Dalit contestant seeks votes by hailing Thevar
indianexpress Express News Service , The New Indian Express
MADURAI: It's unbelievable, but for politics. In a strange move, a
Dalit contestant from the caste sensitive Pappapatti (reserved)
village in Madurai district worships Thevar icon Pasumpon
Muthuramalinga Thevar to win over the hearts of the Mukkulathor
community to emerge victorious in the local body elections on
Wednesday.� Contesting from the Caste Hindu majority hamlet, the
45-year-old candidate, T Palsamy, is in the fray for the second time,
though he lost in the last local body elections, five years ago.� "I
was defeated as the non-Dalits unanimously nominated another SC
candidate to oppose me in 2006," he told Express. "However, the same
people have backed me this time with their chosen candidate has proven
to be a poor performer," he added.� With the Thevars extending their
support for him, Palsamy has pulled up his socks to woo the dominant
castes. He has printed pamphlets, which hails the Thevars as his god
and praising their leader Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar as temple.
In a rare gesture by any Dalit, Palsamy has also chanted "Thevar
Naamam Vazhga! Thevar Pugazh Vazhga!" (Hail Thevar) through his
election pamphlets. "I am quite popular among the Thevars. That's why,
despite there was stiff opposition from the Caste Hindus, few of my
well wishers from the other side (Thevars) exercised their franchise
in favour me in 2006," he claimed.� Asked whether his attempts would
hurt the sentiments of Dalits, Palsamy replied, "We had even pasted
these bills on the walls of Dalits' houses. Absolutely, there is no
problem." The Commerce graduate was also quick to add that he did not
try the same formula to attract the Thevars in the previous
elections.� Pappapatti came to the limelight when the Caste Hindus in
the village refused to accept a panchayat president from the oppressed
classes.� Elections were not held in the village, for five years,
after it was brought under the bracket of reserved panchayat.�
Agitated over the move, the Caste Hindus nominated a Dalit candidate,
who would in turn withdraw his nomination, stalling the polls.
Interestingly, the successful contestant in 2006 was asked to continue
in his office with Palsamy contested against him as an independent.�
Now, six candidates, including Palsamy, are in the fray.� Of the 1,543
total number of voters, 1,023 are Caste Hindus.
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