Today’s temple, tomorrow’s mosque: election season is here

CHENNAI: As polls near, the campaign is cutting across the lines of religion, creed and caste. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, who has said in many interviews that he does not pray, participated in a puja at the San Gignaman temple in his constituency along with MP Dayanidhi Maran and Anna Nagar candidate N Chitrarasu.In Palakod, DMK Candidate Dr Senthil Kumar, who as Dharmapuri MP had courted controversy for opposing religious rituals and laying the foundation stone for road projects, visited a temple during his campaign.VK’s Hindu candidates, including Sivakasi candidate Keerthana, are campaigning in mosques, while Muslim candidates are appearing at rallies bearing Vibhuti markings.Caste markers have changed in the electoral landscape. Thangam Thennarasu of Thevar community visited the memorial of dalit neta Immanuel Sekar in Paramakudi. Such visits by non-Dalits are seen only during commemorations related to Devendra Jayanthi.Political analysts say the gesture is nothing new. “The communal boundaries here are not very strong. Leaders visit interfaith places of worship and attend festivals,” said political science professor Rajmurugan. “What has changed is the frequency and the timing. It’s even more pronounced now during the campaign.”

He added that minority voters make up a large proportion, estimated at about 20%. “These moves show that they are trying to consolidate the vote. The ministers’ visit to the Emmanuel Sekar monument shows that they do not want to leave any part unaffected,” he said.In Gummidipoondi, AIADMK candidate V Sudhakar surprisingly did not accept any divine blessings but took blessings from his DMK rival TJ Govindarajan, saying Govindarajan was older than him.