Krishnagiri-Tamil Nadu is poised for a dynamic electoral showdown as it prepares for polls on April 19. Traditionally dominated by the AIADMK and DMK, the state now anticipates a three-way contest with the BJP stepping up its efforts to expand its influence, led by Annamalai's high-profile padyatra across Tamil Nadu.
In the 2019 elections, the DMK secured an overwhelming victory with 38 out of 39 seats, but this time, the BJP aims to make significant gains, eyeing a double-digit vote share in its Dravidian stronghold. The party's strategy includes fielding a diverse range of candidates across all constituencies, promising an intriguing electoral landscape.
One such constituency witnessing a compelling battle is Krishnagiri, where Vidhya Rani, daughter of infamous sandalwood smuggler Veerappan, enters the fray under the NTK i.e. Naam Tamilar Katchi ( transl. We are Tamils Party) banner.
Vidhya, a former BJP leader and lawyer, seeks to address pressing issues such as the lack of a railway station, inadequate industrial infrastructure, and agricultural challenges plaguing the region. It may be surprising for many that Krishnagiri district doesn’t have a railway station of its own, however, the nearest station to Krishnagiri district is the Kelamangalam station.
However, the competition in Krishnagiri is fierce, with C Narasimhan representing the BJP and K Gopinath standing for the Congress. The Congress, led by Dr A Chellakumar since 2014, aims to retain its hold on the constituency despite mounting challenges.
Vidhya has embarked on a journey to carry forward legacy through her involvement in politics. A trained lawyer, she completed her five-year law course in Bengaluru and has since dedicated herself to serving the community in Krishnagiri, where she runs a school.
Vidya's decision to join politics was fuelled by a desire to alleviate the suffering she witnessed growing up, especially among those affected by the conflicts involving her father and the authorities.
Vidhya's connection to her father, Veerappan, is marked by a poignant encounter during her childhood. Meeting him just once, when she was in the third standard at her grandfather's house in Gopinatham, left a lasting impression on her. Recalling their conversation, she vividly remembers his encouragement for her to pursue medicine and serve the people.
" That was the first and last time I met him. We spoke for 30 minutes, and the conversation is still fresh in my mind. He held me and asked me to pursue medicine and serve the people," Vidhya said, as quoted by Deccan Herald.
Inspired by her father's dedication to fighting for the rights of people in hilly areas like Anchetti, Thalli, and Denkanikottai, Vidhya is determined to continue his legacy. Despite the prevailing government narrative portraying Veerappan as a ruthless criminal, Vidhya, along with many villagers in Dharmagiri and Krishnagiri districts, sees him through the lens of a Robin Hood figure, advocating for the marginalized.
Vidhya and her sister Prabha, daughters of the forest brigand had faced their share of trauma, longing for a peaceful life away from public scrutiny and the ever-watchful eye of the Special Task Force.
It is worth mentioning that Vidhya and her mother Muthulakshmi had joined CPI after Veerappan was killed by STF led by magnetic IPS Vijay Kumar. Few months later Vidhya joined the BJP, and she was made the Vice President of the Tamil Nadu Youth Wing.
Transitioning from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to the Naam Tamizhar Katchi (NTK), Vidhya's decision was influenced by her exposure to the television series "Koose Munisamy Veerappan," which shed light on her father's life.
Her admiration for NTK's leader, Seeman, grew after understanding his nuanced perspective on her father's actions. Drawing parallels between her father and Seeman, Vidhya finds strength in their shared ideologies and believes that contesting elections is a means of giving back to society.
Although Vidhya's transition to the Naam Tamizhar Katchi (NTK) may raise eyebrows due to the party's controversial policies, such as eulogizing the LTTE and its leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, she remains undeterred. Despite the party's initial marginal vote share, Vidhya believes in its potential to effect meaningful change and has aligned herself with its mission.
She emphasizes that while her father's name may carry a certain stigma, she hopes to be judged by her actions and contributions rather than her lineage.
An interesting anecdote from her past reveals that she was named by a Special Task Force officer, who dubbed her 'Vidhya Rani,' suggesting that she would be the 'Queen of the land' following her father's legacy as the 'King of the forest.' This name, chosen by an officer who knew her father well, adds a unique twist to her story.
Veerappan, born Koose Munisamy Veerappan on January 18, 1952, was a notorious bandit who transitioned into a domestic terrorist. Over a span of 36 years, he engaged in a series of criminal activities that earned him notoriety across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala.
Veerappan's criminal repertoire included kidnapping prominent politicians for hefty ransoms, sandalwood smuggling, and poaching elephants in the dense forests of the region.
His criminal pursuits incurred significant costs for the governments of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, amounting to over ₹100 crore, as extensive efforts were made to capture him.
Veerappan's criminal journey began under the influence of his uncle, Saalvai Gounder, a renowned poacher and sandalwood smuggler. Subsequently, Veerappan embarked on his own ventures, becoming infamous for his ruthless exploitation of sandalwood and ivory resources, often resulting in the merciless killing of elephants for their valuable tusks.
From a young age, Veerappan's criminal activities escalated, and he resorted to eliminating anyone who posed a threat to his illegal enterprises. His victims primarily included police officers, forest officials, and informants, contributing to his reputation as a dangerous and elusive fugitive.
However, Veerappan's reign of terror came to a decisive end on October 18, 2004, when he and three of his associates were killed by the Tamil Nadu Special Task Force, led by N. K. Senthamarai Kannan under the proactive leadership of K Vijayakumar.
Throughout his criminal career, Veerappan was responsible for the deaths of approximately 184 individuals, including a significant number of police officers and forest officials. Additionally, he faced charges for poaching over 2000 elephants and smuggling ivory and sandalwood worth millions of dollars.
Krishnagiri, situated in Tamil Nadu, is an unreserved seat in the parliamentary elections.
This constituency is predominantly rural, with a literacy rate of approximately 71.46%. Krishnagiri has a notable Scheduled Caste population of 14.22% and a Scheduled Tribe population of 1.19%.
In the 2019 elections, Congress candidate Dr. A. Chellakumar secured victory with 611,298 votes, representing 53% of the total votes. The AIADMK candidate, K. P. Munusamy, garnered 454,533 votes, accounting for 39% of the total votes. The NTK candidate, Madhusoodhanan N., received 28,000 votes, constituting 2% of the total votes.
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