No smooth sailing for Bhalaji during his mid-sea campaign

Taking a leaf out of ‘daddy’ Modi’s book, Rajenthra Bhalaji tried to emulate the PM’s floating campaign in the deserted Dal Lake in Srinagar, by taking a boat into the coastal waters of Thoothukudi.

The Sivakasi-based politician on Thursday was told that it was a good idea to directly reach fishermen by going to them on a fishing vessel. So the minister hopped onto the boat with his party workers and sailed in support of Ottapidaram by-poll AIADMK candidate P Mohan.

However, once they were at sea, it occurred to them that the vessel was too large and their beloved leader could not be seen. So, they started shouting from the boat telling supporters that the minister has arrived. However, the fishermen who were in lightweight catamarans and fibre boats kept their distance factoring in safety norms. The worried supporters then started waving frantically to get their attention.

This too backfired because the fisherfolk got worried thinking their were seeking assistance, and apparently sent a message asking if they need to inform the Coast Guard! It was then that the Minister took matters into his own hands and started steering the boat to show that he was well in control and everything was fine.

Meanwhile, supporters who were coordinating on shore, filmed the campaign and tried to get fishermen to display their catch and reciprocate Rajenthra Bhalaji’s greetings but due to the wind conditions and distance, no one could figure out which white-clad figure on the boat was the politician, and which were the supporters.

—C S Kotteswaran, Chennai