DMDK general secretary Premalatha, wife of late actor-politician Vijayakanth, is contesting from Virudhachalam, while their elder son Vijayaprabakar is in the fray from Virudhunagar. In recent weeks, some of Premalatha’s public remarks have drawn attention and are said to be creating discomfort within the DMK-led alliance.
The controversy intensified after Premalatha, while campaigning for a DMK candidate in Tirupparankundram, said that a beacon would be lit on the hill “by Murugan’s grace”. Muslim groups expressed displeasure and contacted her as well as party functionaries to convey their objections. Though her side reportedly said it was a slip of the tongue, Muslim community leaders have not accepted the explanation.
Against this backdrop, Vijayakanth’s younger son Shanmuga Pandian has been campaigning at mosques in the Virudhachalam constituency. Addressing worshippers, he said his father had close friendships with Muslims and that he too had grown up with strong ties in the community.
He also claimed that his “other name” is Sougat Ali, saying Vijayakanth gave him that name because of their friendship with Muslims. Urging support for Premalatha, he appealed to voters to help her win as they did for his father in the 2006 Assembly election, and said she would look after the constituency like a family.
