DMK’s campaign in Salem district’s Edappadi constituency has reportedly slowed, with party workers showing limited enthusiasm and the alliance’s election office remaining largely deserted.
Edappadi is a long-time AIADMK stronghold where party general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami is contesting for an eighth term. He has won the last three elections, and the DMK has not won the seat since 1971, prompting the party leadership to push for a victory this time.
According to party sources, the candidate selection became a point of friction. The DMK named Kasi, the Jalakandapuram town panchayat chairperson from the Kongu Vellalar community, based on recommendations attributed to Minister Vellu and former minister Senthil Balaji, while other names suggested by the Salem West district leadership were not chosen.
The DMK-alliance main election office was opened on April 8 on Salem main road opposite the Edappadi union office, with district secretary Selva Ganapathy inaugurating it. However, party members allege that the district leadership and its supporters are offering only nominal cooperation, with even campaign visits by party speakers not being publicised in advance.
With DMK workers themselves seen as inactive, alliance partners are also said to be less engaged. As a result, candidate Kasi is reportedly campaigning with a limited group, while the election office sees little footfall, sources said.
