For 37 years, popular Tamil singer E.M. Haneefa has belted out popular songs for the DMK. Come election time, and Nagoor Haneefa, as he is better known, takes to the streets with a song on his lips.The streets of Vaniyambadi now reverbrate with his song Oodivaruhiran Udayasuriyan. But this year, he’s singing for himself. The septuagenarian Muslim singer is fighting the polls from Vaniyambadi.DMK president M. Karunanidhi’s announcment of Haneefa’s candidature seems to be a masterstroke. Haneefa is not just a popular poll singer, he is also a permanent fixture at most Muslim functions.And Hindus are great fans of his. They love his sonorous voice that movingly captures episodes in the Prophet’s life.With Haneefa as candidate, Karunanidhi is trying to worm his way back into Muslims’ good books. The community has been disillusioned with his BJP co-habitation. And at the same time, Karunanidhi has sent out a signal to Hindus that he has plumped for a secular Muslim.Haneefa, despite his age, is as enthusiastic about fighting polls as singing. He tirelessly does the rounds of Vaniyambadi and appeals for secular votes. Factors, however, exist which could work against him.For one, he is an outsider. And he speaks Tamil unlike Vaniyambadi’s predominantly Urdu-speaking electorate. Haneefa, however, is not bothered.‘‘Wasn’t MGR an outsider in the seats he contested? It’s the same with Jayalalithaa. Such things don’t matter when the contestant is popular.‘‘As for the Urdu-Tamil divide, I’m sure it won’t affect my chances. I’m acceptable to all Muslims. Muslims flock to my concerts everywhere.’’Contrary to Haneefa’s perception, the local jamaats appear lukewarm to his candidature. Some people suspect an unwritten understanding between the influential jamaats and the AIADMK. A jamaat member said they would vote for the AIADMK candidate because only a ruling party MLA can ensure development in the constituency. ‘‘For years, the Opposition has represented this constituency. We never managed to get any important project for ourselves,’’ he said.The AIADMK is determined to wrest Vaniyambadi from the Opposition. As many as seven of its ministers are camping here, determined not to leave any stone unturned for M. Vadivel’s victory. The party is returning to the political fray here after 22 years.‘‘The people have realised there is no point in voting for a party that is not in power,’’ said Education minister M. Thambidurai, in-charge-of the AIADMK campaign.Pary chief J. Jayalalithaa has fielded a Hindu candidate knowing well that Muslims candidates of rival parties would end up splitting Muslim votes. Above this is Vadivel’s status as a member of the Mudaliar community, a predominant caste in Vaniyambadi.The so-called secular camp’s candidate is Aroor Nawaz of the Indian National League. He is yet to get off the blocks. The campaign too hasn’t really picked up in this tannery town where almost all parties appear to be doing the ground work quietly.
