Natham Viswanathan loses power in Athoor

Dindigul: Athoor constituency in the district has once again proved that it is a DMK stronghold by electing three-time MLA and former minister I Periyasamy, while showing the door to one of the most powerful ministers of the AIADMK government, Natham R Viswanathan. As per the final result, Periyasamy bagged 1,20,492 votes to Viswanathan's 94,234 and thus defeated the latter by a margin of 27,147 votes.
Athoor is one of the prominent constituencies in southern Tamil Nadu with Periyasamy having served as MLA during the periods 1996-2001, 2006-2011 and 2011-2016.The AIADMK had bagged this seat in 2001-2006. Similarly, Viswanathan, who was the state power minister, gained popularity in neighbouring Natham constituency, where he too was a three-time MLA by winning consecutive terms in 2001, 2006 and 2011. Both, Periyasamy and Viswanathan were considered equals in terms of popularity among the voters.
However, this time, the AIADMK party high command allotted him the Athoor seat instead of Natham, allegedly due to some controversies that were surrounding him. While many of his counterparts like O Paneerselvam emerged victorious again, Viswanathan lost. This, despite the fact that many of his relatives and other AIADMK cadre temporarily shifted base to Athoor and campaigned for him.
Unfortunately, the absence of AIADMK cadres in Natham in sufficient numbers affected the result of the AIADMK candidate there too, as DMK candidate Andi Ambalam wrested this coveted seat which had been evading his party for three elections.
Meanwhile, in a shot in the arm for Periyasamy, his son I P Senthilkumar also won from Palani constituency in Dindigul district.