Vaali declared that the election day would ensure that ‘the throne’ is returned to Karunanidhi, turning the audience hysterical with delight. Vaiko came in for ridicule with the poet sharply observing that he had sent to Delhi (as Rajya Sabha members) people who wasted time playing ‘top’ -- the MDMK symbol -- in village playgrounds.

Rehman sniped at Karunanidhi’s rivals pointing out that ‘‘under the blistering summer sun (the DMK symbol) two leaves (the AIADMK symbol) would wilt and ‘vaiko(r)’ or haystack, would be reduced to ashes’’.

At this, DMK leaders and Karunanidhi’s family members, including Dayanidhi Maran and his brother Kalanidhi Maran, who heads the Sun TV Group, in the audience were in splits.