Author: Express News Service
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: February 9, 2014
URL: http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/Modi-Crosses-Language-Barrier-Wows-Audience/2014/02/09/article2046296.ece

Despite the linguistic barrier, BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi cast his spell on the Dravidian land on Saturday. Many who turned up for the BJP rally could not understand Hindi, but they were there just to have a glimpse of the man. And, he didn’t disappoint them.

Arriving to a rousing welcome, Modi stepped on to the dais with folded hands in his trademark kurta, pyjama and jacket.

He was honoured with a huge garland and there was a eulogy from every ally who has joined the BJP bandwagon — from MDMK to the tiny IJK (Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi) of educationist T R Pachamuthu.

When he commenced his address in Tamil, with “Tamil Manne Vanakkam” (saluting the Tamil soil),  the crowd erupted in ecstasy. This was the second time he was addressing a rally in Tamil Nadu after being anointed the BJP’s PM candidate. The first was in Tiruchy. Like in his earlier address, this time too he was careful not to antagonise the Dravidian majors — the AIADMK and the DMK. He spared both but trained his guns on the Congress and Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram, in particular.

While the BJP seems to have given up the hope of roping in the DMDK into its front, the crowd wanted the saffron party to face the poll with existing allies.

A youth from T Nagar, Prakash  (27),  said: “I have never voted for BJP. Me and my family have voted for DMK all along. This time, I will vote for Modi. So will my friends.”

Migrant labourers, whom the BJP had mobilised, were present in large numbers and formed a sizeable section of the crowd. Those from UP, Bihar and other states from the Hindi heartland turned boisterous every now and then because unlike the locals, they followed Hindi.

In what could be a sign of the Modi factor, the allies — MDMK, IJK, KNMK, — though minor players, came in large numbers, carrying festoons and their respective party flags.