Dalit contestant seeks votes by hailing Thevar

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.