Hailing from Velachery, Manimaran began his political journey as a spirited young man deeply committed to Dravidian movement ideology, following Vaiko from the inception of the MDMK. Step by step, he rose through the ranks to become the party’s district secretary. A builder by profession, he often organised party policy meetings at his own expense.Walking in the path of Periyar and Anna, and steadfast in Dravidian principles with a strong Tamil identity, Manimaran was a key pillar of support to Vaiko among the prominent “commanders” of the state capital. Grassroots party workers affectionately called him the “Commander of the Capital.” Manimaran was an unselfish ideologue who dedicated his time, money, and effort to the cause and the party without expecting any personal gain — a fact beyond dispute.However, Vaiko’s approach of keeping such committed activists away from positions of governmental authority, and in ways that also hurt their self-respect, eventually led to a situation where Manimaran joined the DMK, his parent party.Though South Chennai has many senior leaders who have served the DMK, as Kalaignar himself once said, those who return to the DMK from the MDMK will be considered DMK members based on seniority. Viewed in that light, Manimaran — who devoted his body, resources, and spirit to the MDMK — would be among the few who operate with such principled commitment in the DMK’s South Chennai unit.If Manimaran were to become a key office-bearer in the DMK or a Member of the Legislative Assembly, it would be beneficial for the party and for the DMK as a major political movement driven by principles. Having committed activists like Manimaran on the field would be an added strength.This is an unbiased article, written purely as the democratic voice of a Dravidian movement sympathiser.— DHRAVIDA JEEVA
