Click to play videoVeerapandi (Tamil Nadu): Fathers, sons, brothers and nephews fight elections against each other in Tamil Nadu, but perhaps the bitterest family fight in politics is being fought out in Salem district between an uncle and his niece.
One (Arumugam) is a Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK) candidate, and the other (Vijayalakshmi) is part of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). Both can't seem to keep their personal differences and poll politics apart.
Arumugam is the headman of the oldest and most influential family in Veerapandi. He's been around so long that he's known as Veerapandiar.
Almost every member of this DMK man's family has dabbled in politics. Uncles, nieces, brothers, sisters-in-law have all used his name to win elections. Even if they're contesting against him.
“They use my name and say how they're related to me. That obviously helps them win. It's not a simple family feud. It's about who wins the elections,” Arumugam said.
Vijayalakshmi has contested against him several times and has even managed to put him behind bars.
They stay on the same street, but haven't spoken a word to each other for over 20 years. But, the people of Veerapandi are fed up of being the pawns in this game of chess.
“There's no value for the poor here. The family has money and power. You say anything they don't like and they'll come beat us up,” a villager said.
People wake up to find their houses painted with symbols of political parties.
“Because they fight among themselves it affects the entire village,” another villager said.
This elections, Arumugam has fielded his son Raja as the DMK candidate. So, Veerapandi will see the age-old family battle move to the next generation.
In Veerapandi, the strategy is easy, to ride on the family headman's image. And this is not an isolated case. It's a sign of how important dynasty politics has become in this state over the years.
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