COIMBATORE: When he set out on door-to-door canvassing, the response from the public for P Magehswaranan independent candidate contesting in ward 32 of Coimbatore corporation, was poor as people would not even bother to listen to him.
That’s when the idea struck him. He took a harmonium on rent and went around residential areas playing the instrument. Mageshwaran is no exponent in harmonium, but the result of his decision was overwhelming.
Not only did people on the streets of Sanganoor gathered to listen to him, those who were indoors stepped out of their houses to catch a glimpse of the man who was walking around playing an harmonium. “With the harmonium it’s easy to gain the attention of the public. Once I get their attention, it’s easier to strike a chord with them and seek votes,” says Mageshwaran. The man knew a thing or two about employing theatrics in politics as he had caught the attention of everyone on the day of filing nomination when he came on horseback.
Not just Mageshwaran, every other candidate has been trying out different measures to catch the attention of voters as the campaign heats up.
D Ilakkumi Izhamselvi, wife for former deputy mayor N Karthik and DMK candidate for ward 52 joined a group of women to perform a kummi dance, while canvassing at Peelamedu Pudur area on Wednesday. As she started dancing, a lot of women from the locality gathered to watch the performance.
On Thursday, Ilakkumi chose yet another move, one that is often adopted by politicians, sweeping the streets. When residents of Periyar Nagar town of piled up garbage, she summoned a conservancy worker and asked her to clean. As the conservancy worker began cleaning, Ilakkumi got the broomstick from her and started sweeping the street, as partymen cheered.
Gomathi Kattudurai, an AIADMK candidate, fielded in ward 78, went campaigning with a hijab in a Muslim populated area, in the backdrop of ongoing hijab issue in Karnataka. “I want to send a strong signal that I support women wearing hijab, since it’s their choice,” Gomathi said.
Candidates cutting across party lines were vying with each other to strike a chord with people. While some sold vegetables in pushcart, one prepared and served tea in a tea shop and yet another candidate sought votes with a traditional thamboolam plate. AIADMK’s ward 38 candidate, Sharmila Chandrasekar, touted to be the party’s Coimbatore mayor candidate, got into a roadside vegetable shop and started selling veggies, in an apparent bid to woo traders in Onampalayam area during her campaign. A BJP candidate from ward 46, R Sudhakar too sold vegetables on a pushcart while canvassing in his ward. People though respond with a smile and act courteous to all candidates, they are keeping their decision close to heart for February 19.
That’s when the idea struck him. He took a harmonium on rent and went around residential areas playing the instrument. Mageshwaran is no exponent in harmonium, but the result of his decision was overwhelming.
Not only did people on the streets of Sanganoor gathered to listen to him, those who were indoors stepped out of their houses to catch a glimpse of the man who was walking around playing an harmonium. “With the harmonium it’s easy to gain the attention of the public. Once I get their attention, it’s easier to strike a chord with them and seek votes,” says Mageshwaran. The man knew a thing or two about employing theatrics in politics as he had caught the attention of everyone on the day of filing nomination when he came on horseback.
Not just Mageshwaran, every other candidate has been trying out different measures to catch the attention of voters as the campaign heats up.
D Ilakkumi Izhamselvi, wife for former deputy mayor N Karthik and DMK candidate for ward 52 joined a group of women to perform a kummi dance, while canvassing at Peelamedu Pudur area on Wednesday. As she started dancing, a lot of women from the locality gathered to watch the performance.
On Thursday, Ilakkumi chose yet another move, one that is often adopted by politicians, sweeping the streets. When residents of Periyar Nagar town of piled up garbage, she summoned a conservancy worker and asked her to clean. As the conservancy worker began cleaning, Ilakkumi got the broomstick from her and started sweeping the street, as partymen cheered.
Gomathi Kattudurai, an AIADMK candidate, fielded in ward 78, went campaigning with a hijab in a Muslim populated area, in the backdrop of ongoing hijab issue in Karnataka. “I want to send a strong signal that I support women wearing hijab, since it’s their choice,” Gomathi said.
Candidates cutting across party lines were vying with each other to strike a chord with people. While some sold vegetables in pushcart, one prepared and served tea in a tea shop and yet another candidate sought votes with a traditional thamboolam plate. AIADMK’s ward 38 candidate, Sharmila Chandrasekar, touted to be the party’s Coimbatore mayor candidate, got into a roadside vegetable shop and started selling veggies, in an apparent bid to woo traders in Onampalayam area during her campaign. A BJP candidate from ward 46, R Sudhakar too sold vegetables on a pushcart while canvassing in his ward. People though respond with a smile and act courteous to all candidates, they are keeping their decision close to heart for February 19.
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