TRICHY: Leema Rose Martin, wife of lottery baron Santiago Martin, is the frontrunner in the AIADMK camp to contest in Lalgudi constituency in Trichy district. Rallying on caste arithmetic and financial capabilities, the opposition party has almost finalised Leema as their candidate for Lalgudi, which has been electing a DMK candidate to the assembly since 2006. The buzz in Lalgudi has also kindled a ‘concern’ in the DMK camp since it is their ‘prestigious’ constituency, comprising the natives of two influential local ministers, K N Nehru and Mahesh Poyyamozhi. Sources said that Leema Rose, who joined AIADMK in Feb after quitting IJK, has launched her campaign in Lalgudi. She is meeting the public and influential people in the agrarian constituency, and attended jallikattu events, even protests convened by AIADMK. “Though not officially announced, local functionaries are convinced that she (Leema Martin) is the candidate. She distributed casserole to all houses in Lalgudi as a gift just before the declaration of the election date,” an AIADMK functionary said. According to Leema Rose’s website, she served as president of All India Christian Udayar Sangam (women’s wing) and secretary of Paarkavakula Munnetra Sangam (women’s wing). “About 40% of voters in Lalgudi are from the udayar community, so people may accept her. Christians shall back her too. If functionaries work wholeheartedly, AIADMK can win the Lalgudi segment after 20 years,” a senior AIADMK functionary told TOI.Gifts sponsored by Leema, highlighting the financial capability and newfound spirit among ADMK cadres for a ‘new face’, have caused ripples in the DMK camp. The native villages of two local ministers, Nehru and Mahesh Poyyamozhi, respectively, Kanakiliyanallur and Anbil, fall under the segment. Anbil Dharmalingam (one of the founding members of DMK) and Nehru were elected from Lalgudi. Strained relationships between sitting DMK MLA A Soundarapandian and Nehru are also a factor for DMK to worry about. Though Leema may face competition from potential candidates awaiting the Lalgudi ticket in AIADMK, functionaries, citing her connections with senior leaders, said that Leema is most likely to be the opposition candidate in Lalgudi.
