CHENNAI: As poll nears, campaign trails cut across boundaries of religion, faith and caste. Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, who in several interviews said he does not worship, attended a pooja at Sengeniamman temple in his constituency along with MP Dayanidhi Maran and Anna Nagar candidate N Chitrarasu.In Palacode, DMK candidate Dr Senthil Kumar, who as Dharmapuri MP got into a controversy by objecting to religious rituals and bhoomi pooja for laying foundation stone for a road project, visited a temple during his campaign.VK’s Hindu candidates are campaigning in mosques, including Sivakasi candidate Keerthana, while Muslim candidates are appearing at rallies with viboothi marks.Caste markers have shifted in campaign optics. Thangam Thennarasu, of the Thevar community, visited dalit neta Immanuel Sekar’s memorial in Paramakudi. Such visits by non-dalits are seen only during the observance linked to Devendra Jayanthi.Political analysts said such gestures are not new. “Communal lines have not been very strong here. Leaders visit places of worship across faiths and take part in festivals,” said M Rajmurugan, a political science professor. “What has changed is the frequency and timing. It is now more visible during campaigns .”

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He added that minority voters form a significant share, estimated at around 20%. “These moves point to attempts to consolidate that vote. Ministers visiting Immanuel Sekar memorial shows they do not want to leave any segment untouched,” he said.In Gummidipoondi, an AIADMK candidate, V Sudhakar, took everyone by surprise by not taking blessings of any gods but that of his DMK rival T J Govindarajan saying Govindarajan was senior to him.