- 5 hours ago
As Tamil Nadu gears up for assembly elections, this India Today ground report from Kanyakumari tracks the pulse of people in the district. So, watch the report to find out which way the wind is blowing in this coastal district.
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00:21I'll see you next time.
00:50I'm finally in Kanyakumari, beautiful seaside town with so, so much color and beauty.
00:55It's one of my favorite towns and I almost missed my favorite sight.
01:01Run, run, run, run.
01:04We made it.
01:07We made it.
01:08Before the sun set, before it became pitch dark, I've come, got my favorite sight here in Kanyakumari of the
01:14Tiruvallua statue and Vivekananda rock.
01:17So, yes, wanna come to another episode here of our election special in Tamil Nadu.
01:22I'm in one of my most favorite and cherished parts of Tamil Nadu here in beautiful Kanyakumari.
01:27And we're going to be talking about the politics.
01:29Once I'm able to catch your breath, we're going to be talking about the six seats up for grabs in
01:33Kanyakumari.
01:34But till then, let me sit, enjoy the view.
01:37Go ahead and do that too.
01:52Kanyakumari with six seats in South Tamil Nadu is one of the most watched districts.
01:57The Congress won three seats here in 2021.
01:59The BJP won one seat while the DMK and AIA DMK also won one each.
02:10If there's one person all of Kanyakumari knows, it's Ignatius Tagore.
02:15He knows Kanyakumari like the back of his hand.
02:17So, no better person to set up what to expect in this episode than with Mr. Tagore.
02:22If I can call him a super senior judge.
02:33Okay, with me is someone who is essentially a VIP pass here in Kanyakumari.
02:38Mr. Ignatius Tagore.
02:39You know everyone in Kanyakumari, sir.
02:42It's only fitting that we bring you in on this broadcast on Kanyakumari.
02:45I met you last in 2024, if I'm not wrong.
02:482024, Parliament election.
02:502024 to 2026.
02:52What's changed, sir, in Kanyakumari?
02:54Kanyakumari, actually Kanyakumari every day is a different situation here.
02:58Really?
02:59Yeah, because the entire India people is gathering here.
03:04Kanyakumari is a little India.
03:06How cute, little India.
03:07So, now today you are in the little India, you are standing.
03:09I have to tell you, I love Kanyakumari.
03:11You know, the people, it's so beautiful.
03:14People don't know how beautiful it is till they come.
03:16I'm not just talking about the setting we have behind us, but the Tamarabhani, the hills.
03:22It's amazing.
03:23It's beautiful.
03:23Coconut trees.
03:24The coconut trees.
03:25Yeah, I see that the bridges come up now also.
03:27Yeah, yeah, yeah.
03:28So, that's fully ready.
03:29That is also another connection of both the Thiridala statue and the Swami Vivekan the memorial.
03:35Yes.
03:35It's also another connection to the public also.
03:38Wow, amazing, amazing.
03:39Tourist-wise, you're seeing a lot of people coming here.
03:42Yeah, yeah, yeah.
03:42But let's talk politics, sir.
03:44Politics is also entirely different politics in Kanyakumari district.
03:47Is it different from 2024 or generally different?
03:50Generally, this is always, this is a one-side party.
03:52The Kanyakumari is always supporting the national party only.
03:56BJP or Congress?
03:57Now, I have a long, last 50 years, the Kanyakumari people supported the Congress.
04:02Why is that, sir?
04:03Because in Tamil Nadu, if you see, they are a secondary ally.
04:07You know, the DMK calls the shots.
04:09Why is Kanyakumari so unique in its support to the Congress?
04:12Because the area is very small.
04:14The people, numbers are so small.
04:16They are gathering and different opinions are also gathering.
04:21Okay, so one opinion spreads.
04:22Yeah, yeah, yeah.
04:22According to the opinion, they are support always Congress and not only that Congress, the national party.
04:28National party?
04:29Yeah.
04:30So why not the BJP?
04:31BJP also national party.
04:33Yeah.
04:33But the entire Indian politics is very late.
04:36So they are not, still they are not preaching in Kanyakumari district.
04:40Because they seem to think they have a chance here.
04:42Yeah.
04:43Nagar Koyal, you look at.
04:44Vilvan Kodo also, they have got that seat.
04:46Nagar Koyal, they have an MLA.
04:47Yeah, yeah, yeah.
04:48One of the few that they have.
04:49So then you think that they seem to have a chance here.
04:52In the Kanyakumari history, two times, two members only they have.
04:56One, Patma Abram, Velahidam.
04:59After a very long time, M.R. Gandhi, Nagar Kowal.
05:02Yeah.
05:02Now, still M.R. Gandhi contested the election.
05:05But the result is not in favor of BJP.
05:08This time?
05:09Yeah.
05:09You are saying this time they won't win Nagar Kowal.
05:10Only not for the Nagar Kowal.
05:11Because they are not, the people is not satisfied about the Gandhi's public work.
05:18His performance they are not happy with.
05:19But sir, tell me something.
05:21Is there a change this time?
05:24Or do you still see this place?
05:25If I look at what happened, six districts.
05:27Yeah.
05:28Four of them were with the DMK alliance, largely because of the Congress.
05:30Two with the AIA DMK alliance.
05:32And that's because of BJP's contribution as well.
05:33Actually, Kanyakumari is now with the country's four contributions with BJP.
05:38Four?
05:38Total six constitutions.
05:40Yes.
05:40But four constitutions, BJP.
05:44BJP, yeah.
05:44And they supported the one in Kanyakumari DMK, ADMK.
05:48ADMK, yeah.
05:49And Kirliur, Tamil Mahalala Congress.
05:52So the six belong to NDA.
05:53So BJP then is really thinking that they can bring about it.
05:56Yeah, yeah, yeah.
05:56Do you see that happening?
05:58No.
05:58Have they made, have they made inroads?
06:00Have they grown in Kanyakumari?
06:02Is that why they, you know, put their hands up saying we want to contest here in maximum place?
06:05Because the Indian history, now the president of the election,
06:08is entirely different because the new player, Vijay, is centering the politics.
06:12Does he have an impact here?
06:13Yeah, impact for the youngsters.
06:15Which is the case everywhere.
06:17Everywhere.
06:18But unfortunately, they are below 18 years old.
06:21Ah, so no vote.
06:22That is no, believe it, no loss.
06:25Yeah, no vote.
06:26No vote equals, doesn't matter.
06:28So this vote is almost not used for this future election also.
06:33Because what they are saying is, sir, that they will reach out to the minorities.
06:37Yeah, yeah.
06:38Christians.
06:38There is a sizable population of Christians in Kanyakumari.
06:41Yeah, yeah, yeah.
06:42Does that matter?
06:43Is that going to get cut for the Congress and go to the TVK?
06:45Because the 28th fisherman's village here.
06:50But everywhere, the people supported the Vijay.
06:54But most, 70% of the people have no voting power.
06:58They are below 18 years.
07:00Okay.
07:00So they have no voting power.
07:02So there is no minority factor?
07:03No, not a minority factor.
07:04Like Christian support, nothing like that.
07:05No, no, no.
07:05There is always, he won't stand here.
07:07Every team is supporting the Congress candidates.
07:10So that time, now the three candidates in this year, they are surely win the election.
07:15Which are the three big issues, sir, in Kanyakumari?
07:18Kanyakumari always, very big issue, which is the fisherman's problem.
07:24Here, not proper work, they are working in some other countries, Arab countries.
07:29Now the war, they are affected.
07:31From Kanyakumari also, more than 170 people affected in the war.
07:37Ah.
07:37So he is always in the troubling position in Kanyakumari, fisherman's people.
07:44Okay.
07:44So they want some, need help from the central government.
07:47So that's the first issue.
07:48Yeah, yeah.
07:48Second?
07:49Second is, they need the ambulance, see ambulance.
07:55But never give the ambulance.
07:56They are asking more than 25 years.
07:58Nothing's happened.
07:59Every candidate is promising.
08:00Suppose you select me, I am supposed to bring it.
08:03I'll bring it.
08:04And then nothing.
08:04But nothing.
08:05Still, they are not seen, how is that, still ambulance, they then never seen.
08:10My God.
08:11And third issue?
08:12Third issue, the population is always support the Congress.
08:16Mind is Congress mind.
08:18Congress.
08:18It won't change.
08:19That's the problem of the BJP.
08:21Oh, that's the problem.
08:22But interesting, because Kanyakumari then sees a national party battle of Congress versus
08:27BJP more than any other district in Tamil Nadu.
08:31Yeah, yeah, yeah.
08:31So it's very interesting, sir.
08:33Let's see if your predictions come true, sir.
08:34Because in Tamil Nadu, Kohambatur and Kanyakumari is only supporting the BJP.
08:39But they never success in the election.
08:42They contest the election.
08:43They come close.
08:44Yeah, they come closer.
08:45And they've got one MLA seat, but that's it.
08:47But they are not succeeding in the people's mind.
08:52Interesting.
08:53So it's an interesting battle to watch out for in Kanyakumari.
08:56Of all of these seats, we're going to be focusing on Vilvancode.
08:58Because I find that battle very interesting.
09:01Because the previous MLA is now contested in the BJP.
09:05Switched.
09:06And you have a very strong Congress candidate.
09:09Three times he was in MLA for Congress.
09:12Now he's changed the face, contested in the BJP.
09:16So the people's not believe the Vijay Dharani.
09:18The people believe only the party symbol.
09:21Only for the party symbol.
09:22That's the strength.
09:23Yeah, yeah, yeah.
09:23That is the strength.
09:24So Congress should rejoice.
09:26They've got one district here.
09:28That's vociferously for them.
09:30That's for them in Kanyakumari.
09:32Let's see.
09:32Let's hit the ground.
09:33Talk to some people.
09:34And figure out what they have to say.
09:35Thank you so much.
09:35Always a pleasure to come to your town.
09:37To your Urasa.
09:38And to meet you.
09:39Always welcome you.
09:41Thank you so much.
09:44Kanyakumari is one of the very few districts.
09:46Not just in Tamil Nadu.
09:48But in India.
09:49Where Christians are nearly equal to Hindus.
09:52About 49% of the population are Hindus.
09:5547% are Christians.
09:56Which is what makes this district so diverse and politically interesting.
10:15As I walk through the streets of Kanyakumari, nothing's changed since my 2024 visit.
10:20And I'm not complaining.
10:22It's a beautiful seafront bustling with activity.
10:35We call it a night.
10:37More travel into interior Kanyakumari.
10:39And I've lost count now of the nights spent travelling during election season.
10:46The next day, we set out to meet the candidates.
10:51Our focus first on the Vilvan Code constituency.
10:55Why?
11:04It's an interesting battle where Vijay Dharani, the BJP candidate, has switched over from Congress.
11:09And the Congress, to tap into the Christian vote, has fielded T.T. Praveen, a CSI representative.
11:19I meet the Congress candidate, Praveen first.
11:22Quick hi, hello.
11:23And that's it.
11:24He refuses to speak, saying he's also facing a lot of trouble from agencies.
11:28He claims his firms are being targeted.
11:30And so, unwilling to speak.
11:38So, yes, my travel and wait ends with a quick greeting and nothing more.
11:54On to the next, Vijay Dharani, who's fighting from a seat very familiar to her.
12:02But, with new political hues.
12:08Busiest time of the year for politicians.
12:10We're here with the BJP candidate for Vilva Code, Vijay Dharani.
12:13She's in the midst of a YouTube interview.
12:15We're kind of racing against time now.
12:18We need to head to our next location.
12:20So, we're going to have to interrupt that YouTube interview for five minutes.
12:51So, we interrupted a YouTube interview, ma'am, to disturb you and bring you in.
12:55And I'm sorry about that.
12:56I know, very busy time for you.
12:58Yes, yes.
12:59The whole day we were campaigning.
13:00And just now there was an interview.
13:02And then I'm continuing with you in between.
13:06Can I be candid though?
13:07Last one week, ma'am, that I've been here.
13:08I've been seeing all the big leaders going all out with their campaigning.
13:12For the local leaders, it's yet to pick up.
13:15No, not really.
13:17We are already in the campaign.
13:20We are doing campaign.
13:21And open jeep campaign has not yet started.
13:23Because the symbol is not yet allotted.
13:26It's getting delayed.
13:28I don't know why such a delay is.
13:29It's a very long delay by the election commission.
13:33Yesterday, the scrutiny was over.
13:34Yesterday, it said the symbol should have been allotted.
13:37Now, only tomorrow they are allotting the symbol.
13:40So, we have to start the open jeep only after that.
13:43But, so, the campaigning is getting a bit delayed.
13:46Otherwise, we are doing door campaign.
13:48That is going on already.
13:50You've been representing Vilvan Koda before.
13:53You're back now with a different change.
13:55In the sense that you're now on a BJP ticket.
13:57Is the vote for Vijay Dharani?
13:59Or has the vote been for Congress here?
14:02Definitely, the vote will be for Vijay Dharani and BJP here.
14:06It's not a Congress loyalty that they voted for you?
14:09Or it was for your face?
14:10When I came to this constituency in 2011 as a candidate,
14:15prior to me, three terms communist was in power in this constituency.
14:21Three terms, 15 years.
14:23I just broke that and brought Congress into power.
14:28And three terms I continued.
14:31So, the work I have done in this constituency, nearly about thousand crores worth projects I have brought in this
14:38constituency.
14:40And all important projects I have completed in this constituency.
14:44And people know me so well that they call me by name Vijay Dharani.
14:50People love me so much.
14:52I strongly feel the love and affection of my Vilvan Koda people will continue.
14:57And I keep continuing as Vilvan Koda's Victory Vijay Dharani.
15:01Victory Vijay Dharani.
15:02I like that.
15:03I like that slogan.
15:04Triple V.
15:05Triple V.
15:05Triple V.
15:06Victory?
15:07Vilvan Koda.
15:08Vilvan Koda.
15:09Victory Vijay Dharani.
15:10Okay.
15:11Triple V is your go to MUTO.
15:13Yeah, go to MUTO.
15:13But tell me something.
15:15Does the party also matter?
15:16Is there a certain amount of messaging with the BJP that you are trying to combat?
15:20Because BJP is not a greatly influential party in Tamil Nadu.
15:25Do you think that changes?
15:26No, no.
15:27There is a lot of changes.
15:28In the border, Trivandrum, BJP has come to rule in the local body, in the municipality.
15:35It's Keralam, but ma'am.
15:35Keralam, it's a border.
15:37This constituency is border constituency.
15:38And definitely, and BJP is always, last three times, is the second party in this assembly
15:44constituency also.
15:45So definitely, it has an edge.
15:47And my work also will add up to increase the votes.
15:52Definitely, that all will give a good result to my victory in this Vilvan Koda constituency.
15:57It is a challenge because Congress's candidate is someone who could move the Christian vote
16:01here in Vilvan Koda.
16:03Congress candidate has a very long criminal history.
16:08And assault and grievous hurts and other things are his history.
16:13And he is a candidate who has been imported from Kerala.
16:18The neighboring state doesn't really belong here.
16:24But he managed to create some records to become as a candidate here.
16:30And people know very well.
16:32Even speaking Tamil is a problem for him.
16:36And there are a lot of things.
16:37Why should I accuse another candidate is my feeling.
16:40But despite that, he is against the churches.
16:44How do you say that, ma'am?
16:45Because he is a representative of CSI.
16:48And here, that's his calling card essentially.
16:51That, you know, the Christian vote could go to him.
16:53But in Kerala, the CSI pastors, nearly 12 pastors has been removed from the pastorship.
17:03He has assaulted a lot of people and played in the life of a lot of women.
17:08And a lot of allegations are there.
17:10And these things is against the Christian community as such.
17:15So, the candidate himself had congresses fielded some other candidate.
17:20Maybe there is a chance.
17:21But it is very difficult for this candidate and the people of the constituency definitely will look upon his moral
17:32standards.
17:33So, definitely that is going to give a very big edge in my victory.
17:38And I have served this constituency for 13 years, bringing in a lot of projects.
17:42No fatigue factor?
17:43No fatigue factor.
17:45And definitely people love me so much.
17:49I strongly feel these all things will convert into votes.
17:52I strongly feel.
17:53Okay.
17:54All the very best, ma'am, for your campaign.
17:55I know YouTube interview is waiting for you.
17:57So, we let you go.
17:58Thank you so much.
17:58All the very best, ma'am.
18:00I strongly feel that people will vote for me and make me as their voice in the assembly in the
18:05forthcoming days.
18:06May 4th will know, ma'am.
18:08Thank you so much.
18:20As I head back into Kanyakumari town, guess who we see on the road?
18:24The Kolachil TVK candidate who is on a roadshow that I quickly hijacked.
18:29Sir, sir.
18:31Okay, okay.
18:32We've got the TVK.
18:33They're right in front here.
18:35Go, go, go, go.
18:36Sir, sir.
18:37The school gets on me.
18:39Hey, get on.
18:41We'll be on.
18:42Yeah, yeah.
18:45We need a stop, we need a stop, we need a stop, we need a stop, stop, stop, stop.
18:49We're on the campaign trail with the TVK candidate.
18:52Dr. Preem, tell us what's it like.
18:55Does the TVK stand a chance in Kanyakumari?
18:56Because there's been a lot of talk about the Christian vote here.
18:59Yeah, definitely.
19:00Definitely it stands a chance.
19:01And we have out of all the constituencies, six constituencies,
19:07Kolachil has been really, really good.
19:09And Kolachil, the sentiments of the people is kind of, completely shifted towards TVK.
19:16So, you can see it from the, you know, public around.
19:19I did see a lot of support for you, yes.
19:21But, you know, you're up against parties that have always been around.
19:25We had a MLA who was there for 15 years.
19:28I would still call him as a imported MLA.
19:32This person was imported from a different constituency.
19:35And he never came to the constituency and he never did any good work here.
19:39But he's been there for 15 years.
19:40Which means that there was some support.
19:43I'll tell you the reason being that there was always a strong anti-BJP wave
19:47that was always there in Kanyakumari district.
19:49And he was just playing along with the religious lines.
19:53And the people never had an alternative.
19:56And today, they have an alternative with our leader Vijay and TVK.
20:03So, people just want to leave, get off Congress and get on to a new, you know, new face of
20:10politics.
20:10That's Vijay.
20:11Are you openly wooing minorities?
20:15Are you openly?
20:16Wooing minorities, Christian vote.
20:18Are you openly seeking the Christian vote?
20:20Nothing like that.
20:21Nothing like that.
20:21Nothing like that.
20:22The suspicion is that the TVK is kind of looking at getting in minorities on their side.
20:27Absolutely not.
20:31The party ideology is
20:35which means that, you know, all the lives are the same.
20:38All the, you know, all people should be considered equal.
20:41So, with that, we don't consider, you know, anything minority or majority.
20:46And as our leader says, we have one vote in every household.
20:50Even if it's a BJP household, even if it's a Congress household, we have one vote each there.
20:55And that's good enough for us to win this election.
20:58So, I've been seeing a lot of viral moments, Dr. Prem.
21:00I visited a Vijay rally, which was crazy by itself.
21:03And then I saw a lot of candidates taking up all sorts of tricks to have Vijay as part of
21:07their campaign.
21:08Are you up to any of that?
21:10We are waiting for Vijay to come to, you know, Kanyakumari.
21:13He has some plans.
21:15We hear that, you know, in a couple of days, a couple of days, Vijay should be here.
21:22So, Kanyakumari will definitely show how much of support Vijay has in Kanyakumari.
21:27So, you have a huge fan base here?
21:28Definitely.
21:29Definitely.
21:29There are a lot of, lot of huge fan base.
21:32I've been, you know, campaigning for the past seven days.
21:36I've seen in core BJP areas, I see people jumping when they hear this song, when they see me.
21:41So, they see me as an identity of Vijay.
21:43So, I'm pretty happy and, you know, we have a huge support base.
21:47I think it's nice to see that TVK has young, ambitious candidates.
21:50There are many more like you I've seen.
21:53Yeah, I'm 42 and I'm a doctor.
21:55I've been, you know, at my peak of my practice, I left my practice and joined politics like our leader.
22:00So, our leader has been very inspirational and we see that, you know,
22:03there's a mega shift that's going to happen, you know, sooner or later.
22:07Okay, it's quite a gamble you've taken.
22:09So, I have to ask you this.
22:11And this is one of the criticisms that comes Vijay's way, right?
22:13That let's say he loses.
22:15I'm not going to say he is.
22:16But let's say if he does, what happens next?
22:19Will you then leave politics?
22:20Will you then shut shop and go back to your practice?
22:23Absolutely not.
22:24We are not losing.
22:25We are definitely winning.
22:26That definitely is shown everywhere.
22:27This is, this used to be a core Congress area.
22:30And you could see how much of support we are getting.
22:32So, it's definitely a win and we don't have a, you know, plan B.
22:37It's plan A.
22:37We are forming the government.
22:38We are definitely becoming MLAs and we will definitely form the government.
22:43Thank you so much, Dr. Prem.
22:44All the very best for your campaign.
22:46Quite some fun you're having.
23:04Can the TVK, which is also eyeing the Christian vote, place spoils vote for the national parties
23:08in the fray?
23:12Let's find out from the voter, the people of Kanyakumari.
23:18Sir, you are, you are out and you are out.
23:20Out to the voter, I'm going to go.
23:23Sir, at least here we are out.
23:25Who is coming here in Kanyakumari?
23:27Who is coming here in Kanyakumari?
23:29We are out for DMK, ADMK title.
23:32We are free to come to the top.
23:33I am entering DMK, right?
23:35DMK is you?
23:36How are you?
23:36I'm going to go to Tamilinaa.
23:39I'll go to Tamilinaa.
23:41Do you have to go to NTT, DMK,
23:44Athimuka?
23:45Do you have to go to the VK?
23:47I'll get to keep going.
23:49I'll go to the home.
23:50What?
23:52No.
23:54No.
23:55I'm not going to go to the D&D.
24:00I won't do anything in this world.
24:01I do not do it.
24:03We don't get it.
24:04We don't get it.
24:08I don't get it.
24:08I've got MGR.
24:10Do you still continue?
24:16Do you tell me because MGR?
24:17Yes, I've been told that MGR.
24:20I gotta make it.
24:21If I'm not a guy like this, but I don't do it.
24:27I'm not doing it.
24:43We are supporting DMK.
24:59Because we don't want disturbance like North India.
25:03What does that mean sir?
25:04It means, you know, actually, you know.
25:06No, you see, I stayed in Bombay for more than 15 years, I know.
25:11But there can be disturbance we don't want in Tamil Nadu.
25:14Tell me what disturbance, sir? I know what you are referring to, but I want you to say.
25:17No, no, because North Indian, it is not North Indian style, it is BJB style,
25:23dividing the people. That kind of problem we don't want in Tamil Nadu.
25:26This time, four corner contest.
25:28Do you really think so? BJB, Congress, TVK, NTK, they will all get support?
25:32Yes, really four corner contest.
25:34But as on today, there is some edges for the DMK alliance.
25:38What is your vote for, sir? Who are you supporting?
25:41Silently, yes, NTK. Silently supporting.
25:52So we spent a day, a full 24 hours here in Kanyakumari to get you the voices of the people,
25:57to get you what candidates have to say.
25:59This is a district that's interesting, six seats up for grabs.
26:02It's perhaps the only district where the BJP and Congress are really counting on making a difference.
26:07No other district in Tamil Nadu really sees the BJP and Congress having such a big say.
26:13Let's see what plays out.
26:14I hope I come back very, very soon.
26:16Take Kanyakumari.
26:45Take Kanyakumari.
26:57Take Kanyakumari.
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