Tamil Nadu Assembly polls: Newbie politicians go digital after testing COVID-19 positive during campaign

File pic: Zee News

Chennai: With barely two weeks to go for polling day in Tamil Nadu, politicians campaigning actively on the ground have been tested COVID-19 positive. They, however, assured voters that their respective campaigns would go digital. This comes at a time when the state had been witnessing over 1,000 COVID-19 cases for three days in a row. 

V Ponraj, who had worked as an advisor to former President APJ Abdul Kalam, and is now contesting under the Makkal Needhi Maiam on Monday, announced that he tested positive. Ponraj had filed the nomination to contest from the Anna Nagar constituency in Chennai city. He was seen with party President and actor Kamal Haasan on the day of the manifesto unveiling over the weekend.  

He expressed hope of being able to recover and meet the people prior to the election. He also assured that he would continue to meet the people via, social media, TV and YouTube and Zoom. 

Last week, it was a retired IAS officer and Makkal Needhi Maiam’s Genereal Secretary Headquarters Dr Santhosh Babu who tested positive. The candidate who is contesting from Velachery constituency in Chennai expressed regret for not being able to meet the voters in person and seek their blessings. He, however, said that they would be going on a hyper-digital campaign and that his teams would go and meet people. 

I wish to inform my Velachery voters that I contracted COVID. How unlucky I am! I really want to meet with all of you and seek your blessings and votes. We will be going on a hyper digital campaign and my teams will come and meet with you. Do vote for MNM and me! — Dr. Santhosh Babu IAS (@SanthoshBabuIAS) March 18, 2021

Contesting in nearly 150 seats, Makkal Needhi Maiam hopes to carve a niche for itself, by opposing both major Dravidian parties in the state. Kamal Haasan will be contesting from Coimbatore South Constituency. 

Earlier on Sunday, Tamil Nadu added 1,289 new COVID-19 cases, thus taking the active cases to 7,903.