Melma protests may spoil party for the DMK in Tiruvannamalai

THE walls of Kurumbur village in Cheyyar taluk of Tiruvannamalai remain starkly plain, mirroring the subdued atmosphere prevailing in the 11 surrounding villages.

-  RAJALAKSHMI SAMPATH

Despite the Lok Sabha campaigns peaking in most places, the ruling DMK's 'Rising Sun' has failed to shine in these villages. Melma's Koot Road was the epicentre of the intense protests that erupted last year against the government's plans to procure 3,000 acres of land for the expansion of the SIPCOT industrial park.

While the 7,000 to 8,000 votes in these villages may not have a significant impact on poll outcomes, people in the 11 villages are resolute about their opposition to the DMK. "We did not allow DMK candidates in our villages. We also stopped cadre from painting symbols on our walls and hoisting flags," said S Kumar, a farmer.