Reporter’s diary: Duraimurugan has Siddhar's favour, not Stalin's support for son

The octogenarian, who has been denied election fund by the high command more than once, has invoked the blessings of his favorite godman, Sri Sri Ananda Siddhar in Mahadeva hills on Katpadi – Gudiyattam route, to win the public mandate in his native Vellore.

Siddhar was his answer to frustrated district secretaries who came calling to his residence, seeking ‘funds’ to continue the election work for his son. The seasoned DMK treasurer who has been sharing his anguish at Stalin denying funds for his son’s campaign for months now was learnt to have confided to his friends that the godman has predicted his son’s victory, irrespective of all internal and external influences. 

Unsurprisingly, his faith in the Siddhar has not inspired confidence among a few district secretaries who have been spending for Kathir Anand from their pockets for over a week. “Why should he contest if he is so starved of funds?” was the common quip of Udanpirapus who silently envy the cash flow in the rival AIADMK camp. Like the disgruntled district secretaries, even a few trusted lieutenants of Duraimurugan were surprised by their leader’s reliance on godman for an election. 

No matter how the election results pan out, Ananda Sidhar would be the real victor in Vellore, thanks to the DMK treasurer whose reference has increased the footfall of Mahadeva hills. The list of referred pilgrims even includes a handful of AIADMK functionaries campaigning against Kathir Anand in the constituency.