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In this episode of Tamil Nadu Singapenne, India Today's Akshita Nandagopal's ground report from Coimbatore captures the pulse of the people and intense political battle unfolding in the city's North and South constituencies ahead of the assembly elections.
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00:06Music
00:41Welcome to the beautiful city of Coimbatore.
00:44I'm in what's referred to as a Manchester of India.
00:48Coimbatore as a city has so much to offer and we're going to be talking exactly about that.
00:52In this episode, we're going to be getting you the voices of the city, what change they want,
00:57what they've seen in the last many years and also speak to the politicians.
01:01The scintillating Coimbatore North, Coimbatore South battle that's playing out that the entire
01:06state is talking about.
01:07So join us on this journey to the beautiful name of Coimbatore.
01:22Vibrant, prosperous and yet grounded.
01:28That's Coimbatore for you.
01:30A city that's got so much energy and yet peaceful at its core.
01:39I'm in Coimbatore for two days to soak in the political mood.
01:49I have come to the race court load.
01:51We have been to Coimbatore, you know exactly why I'm here.
01:54Most locals are out and about early in the morning for their walk and we're here with
01:58one mission to find out what the people of Coimbatore want from their politicians, from
02:03their netas.
02:04So let's speak to them.
02:05Join me.
02:29What is the one thing you want to change in your city?
02:35What is the one thing you want to change in your city?
03:02What do you think politicians should focus on?
03:05in the commute.
03:10The Tamil Nadu is a self-sustaining state.
03:14We are not getting much support from central and state.
03:19So, I don't...
03:20It's kind of organic change.
03:22So, if you are talking about change,
03:25are you thinking of going towards the alternative?
03:28Obviously,
03:29if you are talking about the alternative force,
03:33I don't think so.
03:36If you are talking about the development of the two parties,
03:39I don't think so.
03:43I don't think so.
03:44If you are talking about the development of the two parties,
03:46I don't think so.
03:48Are you happy in the last five years
03:50with the work that's been done,
03:51the development that's happened,
03:52not just in Coimbatore but across the state?
03:55No.
03:57When Dubai can be a Dubai,
03:59why not we?
04:01It takes time, no?
04:02But...
04:02Why it takes time?
04:03You spend more on freebies.
04:06You could have spent that money on development.
04:08What is the issue in...
04:10I mean, what is the thing in giving them freebies?
04:12You give them work.
04:14Let them work.
04:15Let them earn money.
04:16Let them spend for them.
04:17They've spent how much money?
04:194500 crores.
04:21They're given for the government.
04:22Central government given for the small city.
04:24Where they're spending, I don't know.
04:25So, who's to blame?
04:27You think the central government, state government?
04:28People have to ask state government.
04:30State?
04:31Yes.
04:32All...
04:33Yeah, everything we are giving to the both parties,
04:35both parties blaming each other only.
04:38Nothing doing for the people.
04:40Still, we are unsatisfied with the politicians,
04:43of the both big parties.
04:46So, you've heard from the people
04:48and the overwhelming response when asked about development
04:51is a demand for a metro in Coimbatore.
04:59Armed with these questions and all the politics playing out,
05:02let's get right to it.
05:10Coimbatore North and South seeing intense battles.
05:13North has BJP's Vanathi Srinivasan versus DMK's Senthil Balaji.
05:18Coimbatore South is DMK heavyweight Senthil Balaji versus AIA DMK's Amman Archanan.
05:27We begin with Senthil Balaji.
05:30We begin with Senthil Balaji.
05:42In the morning,
05:437 a.m.
05:44No breakfast.
05:45No coffee.
05:45But a brisk morning walk with the DMK leader.
06:03Early morning walk, courtesy of the DMK candidate, Mr. Sentil Balaji, you can see him doing the rounds.
06:09Good old election campaign. No vans, no buses, just walking through the streets with huge crowds,
06:15meeting and greeting locals. This is Sentil Balaji, campaigning in Coimbatore South.
06:21We're going to speak to him in just a bit because he's on a mission. He says, I don't want
06:25to get late.
06:26He's meeting people. So we're going to continue on the campaign trail. Good work out for us early in the
06:31morning.
06:39I walked with him for an hour.
06:47So this is a way of greeting, that you're seeing all the women coming together and welcoming Mr. Sentil Balaji
06:55here.
06:57Most people from above are also showering flowers non-stop here.
07:13It's not easy. It's hot, insane crowds and a campaign by walk for five hours in the morning and evening.
07:25One hour in, I'm beat, but the show must go on.
07:34So when Sentil Balaji tells me to come by tomorrow, no time to waste, hop, skip and jump into the
07:40AIA-DMK campaign in Coimbatore South.
07:44It's hot, it's hot, it's hot. It's hot, it's hot, it's hot, it's hot.
07:52Need proof that the South always is up and about early in the morning.
07:56Well, the AIA-DMK BGP camp too is upbeat and full of energy.
08:19Music at 8.30 in the morning.
08:22It's blasting music.
08:24We have not had breakfast, not eaten anything straight to the campaign trail.
08:30First Central Balaji, now AIA-DMK.
08:33I can tell you one thing.
08:34You know what's happening around me?
08:37So Anna for the masks?
08:39Because Anna is going to come here anytime now.
08:41But looking at our Kaukutosh South is an intense battle.
08:45And that's why 8 in the morning, Central Balaji, Amun Arjunan, everyone's out.
08:50Everyone's dancing.
08:56AIA-DMK's Amun Arjunan is geared up for a big face-off at Central Balaji.
09:28AIA-DMK's Amun Arjunan.
09:30Where are you from?
09:31How are you from strongholds and cheap?
09:33Where are you from?
09:34You're from strongholds and cheap.
09:34Where are you from?
09:36Tell me.
09:37There aren't you from strongholds.
09:39Where are you from?
09:41They're coming here.
09:42I'm here from a country.
09:45But you're from a country.
09:47Where are you from?
09:48So you're from NDA.
10:30I also catch Annamalaya on the campaign trail and he puts to rest all speculation of
10:35political fighting and of differences.
10:55I see Annamalaya masks also in the crowd, so a lot of love for you, sir.
11:00Madam, we are here with a single-point agenda to bring NDA to power and to install Edapadipay
11:08Pranisamichi as our chief minister.
11:10All the cadres are working very, very hard on the ground.
11:14And Amman K. Arjun, this particular candidate, is a phenomenal grassroots worker from ADMK.
11:19And all of us are giving our love because, you know, the task mark minister, Mr. Senthil
11:24Balaji, is here contesting from Karoor.
11:27This time we are very confident Coimbatore, including Abhinash ji, will deliver 11 out
11:32of 11 MLS for NDA, Madam.
11:35Coimbatore South.
11:36You have Mr. Amman Arjunan.
11:38I spoke to him earlier.
11:39Aunga Sonanga, it's not a battle.
11:41Senthil Balaji is not a tough contestant.
11:43He definitely is, sir.
11:45He is someone who is an election strategist, known to ensure that, you know, he wins wherever
11:48he goes.
11:49And that's why he's been brought to Coimbatore.
11:51You think so?
11:51But Amman K. Arjunan, he's not a very ordinary person.
11:55He walks.
11:56The beauty of this candidate, he doesn't use car.
11:59Only now because of a crowd we are talking in the car.
12:01He walks the road, meets people.
12:03I think at least he recalls 10,000 people by name in the constituency.
12:07That is how I'm watching his campaign.
12:09Madam, we have to understand for everybody there will be an Achilles heel.
12:12Mr. Senthil Balaji has done overreach now.
12:14From Karoor, yesterday I was in Karoor.
12:16This time it's very clear, Dravid and Munnetra Kalakam will lose their Karoor base also.
12:21Will lose Coimbatore also.
12:22We are confident none of us are afraid about DMK and their money power.
12:26We believe in people power.
12:28But for the ND, it is a challenge.
12:30You know, you look at images that come in of Stalin, travelling.
12:33It'll all, you know, it seems like he has a lot of goodwill among people.
12:36He was in the Chennai metro.
12:37He goes on a morning walk.
12:38So many people come to greet him.
12:39So there seems to be some goodwill for Chief Minister Stalin.
12:43Madam, if Mr. Chief Minister Stalin has done good work over the last five years, he need not campaign this
12:48hard.
12:49That's election, no.
12:50Election, they are working extra hard.
12:52Kani Molliji in one direction.
12:54Udayinidiji in one direction.
12:55Stalin in one direction.
12:56Their hard work and extra outreach only proves that they are not very confident about their victory.
13:02For us, in our case, all of us are working in the grassroots.
13:04And then Yedapadi Palani Samiji is travelling across the state.
13:08On behalf of BJP, I am also travelling across the state.
13:10We are very clear.
13:12Grassroots work has to happen.
13:13And we are extremely confident this time.
13:16With a historic margin, NDA will start winning in all the constituents.
13:19Is the NDA, the Tamil Nadu BJP united?
13:21There's a lot of chatter that there are differences, there are factions.
13:25What's your response to that?
13:27You are seeing me campaigning.
13:28I started my first campaign for an ADMK candidate.
13:31Till now, I've done about 15 constituencies.
13:34I've done for almost 10 ADMK candidates and 5 BJP candidates.
13:38I am very clear.
13:38I'm a career worker.
13:40Whatever misgivings you might have last year, the previous year, this is not there now.
13:44Now we are united on the battlefield because 2024 elections, of course we contested separately.
13:49Words were spoken.
13:50But right now, we are united for a common foe.
13:52We don't want DMK to come to power and we don't want bad elements like Sindhul Balaji to come and
13:57spoil Coimbatore.
13:58In that sense, all of us are united.
14:00We are disciplined in the party.
14:02We are behind Yadapadi K. Palani Samiji because we have declared him as our chief ministerial candidate.
14:06He will be our chief minister.
14:07In this constituency, all of us are behind Amman K. Arjun and two Leafs here because here two Leafs have
14:13to win.
14:13Likewise, all the ADMK candidates are behind our Barajarata party and Lotus in all our 27 constituencies.
14:20This vote transfer will happen beautifully.
14:22All of us will start winning in a very big margin.
14:25You're a career cutter who has also offered a ticket.
14:27You chose to say no.
14:28Madam, this time the party has clearly told me, majorly, they would like to have me more as a campaign
14:34person and organization person.
14:35Mr. Piyushgold says you're a national face.
14:38Madam, I'm a local leader.
14:39It is very kind of national leaders to say my job is here in Tamil Nadu for many, many years
14:44to come.
14:44Right now, my job is to add some votes to Amman K. Arjunji so that he will emerge as a
14:48winner by 50,000 votes.
14:50I am very clear about my role.
14:52The national leadership is also very clear about my role.
14:54Tamil Nadu Barajarata party is also very clear about my role.
14:5727 seats that the BJP is contesting in.
14:59How many will the BJP win in Tamil Nadu?
15:01In all 27 seats, we have a very big chance.
15:03I will tell you, madam.
15:04Madam, yesterday I was in Ooty.
15:05I am telling you for sure, Ooty, we are winning.
15:07I am giving it in writing to you.
15:09Next, we are going to Coimbatur North.
15:11I will give it in writing, we will give Coimbatur North.
15:13Today afternoon, I am in Sathur.
15:15I will give it in writing, we will win Sathur.
15:16Then I am going to Vasudev Nallur.
15:18I will give it in writing, we will give Vasudev Nallur.
15:20So I can name all the constituencies.
15:22All 27, when ADMK, BJP and Alliance partners unite together, all 27 becomes winning.
15:28That is, we are confident we have gained a large number of constituencies.
15:31All 27 constituencies, we are in play.
15:34Okay, all the very best, sir.
15:36Thank you very much for joining us.
15:37Thank you so much.
15:40All right, back to their contender, Senthil Balaji.
15:44I catch him once again walking and campaigning, running through narrow lanes.
15:49I finally catch him.
15:52Sir, you guys are doing bus, van, and you are doing the best style of the bus, and you are
15:57doing the best style of the bus.
15:58How much time is going to be in the bus?
15:58No, no, no, there are no bus.
16:03There are no bus.
16:04There are no bus.
16:05There are no bus at the bus.
16:07I am going to be in the bus.
16:10The third thing in Sental Balaji is so important.
16:12You really want to invite all types of people to come and do a lot of work.
16:17Koyambutur can only participate in the North and South.
16:19The fact that the Koyambutur has already been here.
16:28Koyambutur is not very sure yet.
16:29Koyambutur doesn't like the Koyambutur.
16:33Why do I have a good team?
16:35That is the central balaji factor.
16:37none of you, if you are the perspective of the Netherlands here,
16:43you always talk to us with the government,
16:44they talk with the government ,
16:49as all those people are talking about it,
16:49and we're this all ready to go to the Yochananics عليCity取某ishrepancies
16:54New England told Me,
16:57that you had a civil civil civil rights advocate,
17:01if you have to PPI,
17:01that won't go out beer data from people,
17:07What is the answer?
17:10What are the case about you?
17:13Because there are no concerns.
17:16If you have not commented on the person,
17:18it will be accepted here by the right titre.
17:26There is no one in the question.
17:28He said he said he is not in the question.
17:30A person who asked a letter,
17:32said he is not in the question.
17:36...You can speak at a point.
17:40But for now you must speak with the city...
17:43...You can speak with them and say to them.
17:47You can speak to them when you speak to them.
17:51Why do you speak to your family?
17:53People are speaking with the vachers...
17:56...You can speak with them and send them to the Jesuit.
18:00That is a point.
18:01The task詞 scam is to tell the person to do cash for jobs.
18:05There are some cases in court.
18:35There are some cases in court.
18:38There are some cases in court.
18:44There are some cases in court.
18:45There are some cases in court.
18:47There are some cases in court.
18:49There are some cases in court.
18:51There are some cases in court.
18:54There are some cases in court.
18:56There are some cases in court.
19:01There are some cases in court.
19:03There are some cases in court.
19:42There are some cases in court.
19:45There are some cases in court.
20:05There are some cases in court.
20:19There are some cases in court.
20:43There are some cases in court.
20:53There are some cases in court.
21:09There are some cases in court.
21:14There are some cases in court.
21:28There are some cases in court.
21:34There are some cases in court.
21:41stronghold and after that
21:42we had a parliament election. In that also
21:44we had a parliament
21:46member chosen from Coimbatore. He is representing us
21:48Mr. Ganabhi Rajkumar. So everyone
21:50everything last two elections we have just won
21:52DMK has won in Coimbatore. Every
21:54person that I have spoken to in Coimbatore
21:56says one thing. We need better infrastructure
21:58we need a metro. What
22:00will the DMK do about it? Because largely that
22:02becomes a centre state issue. Yes, that's
22:04a centre state issue. That's the agenda of
22:06this election also. How can you then promise?
22:08We are
22:09our leadership is constantly working in
22:11giving their voices in the parliament.
22:1340 parliament members are constantly
22:16voicing their voice in the parliament.
22:18They are asking for metro and even
22:20last month we had a demonstration
22:21because central government has not
22:24given authorization for metro for Coimbatore and
22:26Madurai. We had a large big protest
22:28on that. It's been
22:30particularly Tamil Nadu has been
22:32sidelined from giving a metro for Madurai and
22:34Coimbatore but
22:35they have given metro for even smaller
22:38cities like some other cities in north but
22:40Coimbatore and Madurai have been not given metro.
22:43What about Vanati Srinivasan and the work
22:45that she's done? You know there is a lot of talk that there is a lot of good will for
22:48her in Coimbatore.
22:50No?
22:50I'm not sure about that. If she has so many good will she could have stayed in the same constancy
22:55where she has already
22:56already she has won from.
22:58Then they'll say that about Mr.
22:59Then they'll say that about Mr.
22:59Senthil Bala Ji?
23:00No, we have brought him to make Coimbatore stronger.
23:03Okay. So that's not the case for Vanati. She's not been brought to Coimbatore north to make the business.
23:07She's already in Coimbatore. She's in Coimbatore south to Coimbatore north. This is not a case same scenario.
23:12Okay. So you're confident of a win then?
23:14We are totally confident with our CM's welfare schemes and everything. That's the past five years.
23:19We are not worrying about who is the opponent. We are completely confident about our CM's welfare schemes and deputy
23:24CM's welfare schemes.
23:25So we are working closely with the people in the ground. So we are working closely with the people in
23:30the ground.
23:31They're very happy and also the promises that are being given for the election manifesto for the next five years.
23:35They are very very happy about that. Especially the coupon which offered by 8000 rupees.
23:40That's an election hero. That's an election hero here. They are really happy about that.
23:44Okay. All right. Thank you very much. All the very best.
23:46Thank you. Thank you.
24:01A power-packed two days in Coimbatore and it's on to the next. On to Karoor.
24:09It's been an event for two days in Coimbatore. Extremely long to occur to see the harsh sun in Coimbatore.
24:16But it's shaping up to be a very interesting political battle. We've spoken to the people. We've spoken to the
24:20politicians.
24:21Can the AIA, DMK, the NDA hold on to Kongunadu? Or will the Sentil Balaji factor, at least in Coimbatore,
24:28help the DMK secure a win in North and South?
24:31We have to wait a few weeks to find out.
24:33Let's go.
24:34Let's go.
24:36Let's go.
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