Independent plans to harvest votes with farmers’ grievances

L Kathiresan, who runs a knitwear unit in the district, is eyeing to win the Parliament seat by raising the issues of the farmers and by voicing their demands. “I want to highlight the burning issues of the farmers in TN,” he said, adding, “I know it’s impossible to win by defeating heavyweight candidates of the major parties. But this won’t deter me from carrying out an intensive campaign to raise the issues of the farmers.”

Kathiresan, who represents the TN Toddy Movement, said he’ll urge the State and central governments to use ethanol as an alternative to petroleum fuel for vehicles. “In countries like Brazil, US and Israel, 85 per cent of ethanol is blended with 15 per cent petrol for vehicles. But in India, ethanol is not used,” he said. “The government must introduce vehicles with modified engines that use fuel mixed with ethanol. This will help reduce air pollution. About 60 per cent of farmers will stand to gain if this is implemented.”

In the last general election in 2014, Kathiresan had contested from the Pollachi constituency and thereafter, he fought Assembly elections from RK Nagar and Sri Rangam constituencies. During his campaigns, he has always been focussed on farmers’ issues. “In 2014, I fetched over 5,000 votes in Pollachi. This time, I chose to contest from Tirupur as it has a mixed population from different states,” he said.

Several farmers’ associations have pitched in to support his campaigns. “Over 1 lakh pamphlets highlighting our demands will be distributed. We intend to seek votes for candidates of main parties too. If they are aware of our concerns, they will help get our voices heard in the Parliament after they win,” he said

Permitting toddy tapping in Tamil Nadu, a separate budget for agriculture and implementing recommendations of National Commission on Farmers were among other major issues raised by Kathiresan.