A freedom fighter, who was the brain behind a major irrigation project, pleaded for rice

Tanguturi Prakasam, needing one vote to become Madras Premier, approached Erode MLA M.A. Eswaran, who agreed to back his candidature, provided he would implement Lower Bhavani Irrigation Project. After procrastination, Prakasam agreed to implement the project. Congress denied him nomination in 1952 because he supported Prakasam