Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) candidate Anbumani Ramadoss, who is contesting in the Dhamapuri constituency, was given a warm welcome on Friday by the Vanniyars of Sellankottai village, which was rocked by caste-violence following the love marriage of Dalit boy E. Ilavarasan from the nearby Natham colony and Vanniyar girl N. Divya belonging to the village.

Among those who received Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss with “aarthi was the girl’s mother, N. Thenmozhi. However, Dr. Ramadoss did not prefer to play the caste card at Sellankottai village, which is dominated by the Vanniyar caste.

The Dalits in the nearby Natham colony who suffered during the caste violence on November 7, 2012 however remained indoors.

Heavy police picketing was posted in view of his visit.

Mr. Anbumani campaigned in over 27 villages in and around Sellankottai, Ariyakulam, Krishnapuram etc till afternoon.