Tamil Nadu polls: Can M Karunanidhi steer DMK to victory?

DMK chief seeks to win yet another election from his constituency, but will he be stopped by Amma's forces?

Muthuvel Karunanidhi, the grand old man of Tamil Nadu politics, has won 12 elections in a political career that has spanned over the course of 60 years. Though he is not the party’s chief ministerial candidate (his son MK Stalin is), his popularity and an appetite to contest and win polls will be something to watch out for. 

The party’s veteran, also associated with the Tamil film industry in his young days, will be seeking a re-election from Thiruvarur constituency. While his victory is almost certain from the constituency, his perception among conventional voters, who have criticised his views on Hindu Gods and Ram Setu, may be a roadblock if the sentiment is tilted towards Amma.  

Among his popular poll promises is the assurance to bring back the much-controversial bull taming sport of ‘Jallikattu’. The DMK chief lashed out at the incumbent CM Jayalalithaa that they had the handled the sport well during the DMK’s rule in the state. A law was also in place to regulate the sport, he added. 

"If a DMK government is formed, the Centre will be approached and all legal steps will be expedited and I assure that Jallikattu will be held from next year," he said.

Will this promise, along with a youth-centric manifesto, help the DMK chief and his party to win the elections?