With just a week left for the assembly polls in Tamil Nadu, campaigning in many urban areas is still at a low key and is lacking the fizz attached to elections in this key southern state, once known for electioneering with Mega larger-than-life cut-outs, banners and buntings.

The rash of posters on the walls, buntings in the street corners and public address system-fitted vehicles criss-crossing the town seem to be a thing of the past. Life size cut-outs of various leaders in vantage points are missing.

A visit to some of the constituencies in the southern part of the state showed that it was yet another normal day and there were no signs of any election hysteria.

However, wall writings were prominent in some areas which showed that the candidates possessed the blessings of Amma known as Puratchi Thalaivi (revolutionary leader) or Kalaignar (artist) and M K Stalin with the symbols of DMK rising sun and AIADMK two leaves.
It appears that leaders and candidates of rival political parties have reserved their fire power for the coming days before the may 10 polls.
The campaign is expected to gain momentum in the coming days and climax with the rally by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the marina beach on may seven, a day before the campaign to end. Several NDA leaders would also address the rally. Bureau Report