Vote for our courage, says DMDK chief

Vujayakant kicks off election campaign





CHENNAI: "Vote for my party candidates and we will ensure you that we will keep the ruling party on its toes on civic issues," Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) president Vijayakant thundered at a public meeting in the city on Saturday evening, after launching the party's campaign for the upcoming Chennai Corporation byelections. He appealed to voters to encourage the courage and conviction of his candidates in opposing the ruling DMK combine in the elections slated for February 18.

"Vote for the lamp symbol to light up your lives," he said to a massive crowd that had gathered at Shenoy Nagar in Aminjikarai, where the public meeting was arranged. The entire region was awash with lights and the DMDK cadre lit up the skies with firecrackers to accompany their leader's speech. The DMDK's 63 candidates are the major challengers to the ruling DMK combine in the election that would see byelections to 67 wards. The AIADMK-led combine has boycotted the elections. Though polls were announced for 100 of the 155 wards in the city, 33 candidates were declared winners after contestants in their respective wards withdrew.

Mr. Vijayakant pointed out that the Chennai Corporation had suddenly launched an anti-mosquito campaign in the city, so close to the elections. "Much of the fogging operations in the city is done now because of the by-elections," he charged. "Just imagine what would happen if they (ruling party) had no opposition at all in the Corporation council. Who would stand up for your rights?"

Panruti Ramamurthy and other DMDK leaders also spoke. Vijayakant also introduced his party's candidates. The DMDK cadre charged that several autodrivers were reluctant to carry out election campaigns for them. But they insisted that they would take up intensive campaigning in the coming days.

Source : www.hindu.com