It was 58-year-old Vaiko's 56th successive day of campaigning. He had been travelling the length and breadth of the state for the last 55 days, sleeping inside the van most days. But he still looked energetic and fresh.

Till now, I had only travelled behind leaders in my vehicle as they campaigned, or waited for them well in advance at the places they visited. For the first time, I was inside the vehicle with a leader. As the vehicle sped past the city road at breathtaking speed, honking and getting on the nerves of every other driver on the road, I began to interview Vaiko. "Shall I ask a few questions?" I asked.

"Why a few questions? You can ask as many questions as you want," Vaiko said magnanimously. Truly, he is a journalist's delight.