VELLOR: For the 43-year old Shoukath Sheriff, contesting the election for the first time in his life, representing the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) is not going to be an easy task in Vellore.
Though he claims that his focus would be on winning the goodwill of the youth force here, that in itself, may not be sufficient. Especially given that he will have to face a stiff battle against the sitting MP Khader Mohideen on one side and the AIADMK candidate, yet to be announced.
Shoukath hails from a family that runs freight cargo businesses spread across the country and has been doing so for three generations. He says that he was interested in politics even as a student. His political career began as a member of the Tamil Nadu All India Congress Committee soon after his BA at Pachiappas College in Chennai. He was looking after his family business in Delhi when he got married to the daughter of the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed. The couple has two sons who are studying in a Chennai school now.
“I was not happy with the Congress. I was attracted by Vijayakanth and his striking appeal and clarion call to youth force to clean up the polity,” Shoukath told Express. After joining the DMDK last year he was installed as the State youth wing secretary for Delhi.
He admits though, that being the son-in-law of a former CM may not carry any weight here. However, he is also quick to point to the profound contact already established by him with the locals, which would certainly help in cutting the ice. “Please do not look at me as a non-local,” he pleaded. “My ancestors have their roots here and I have a lot of relatives and friends on whose appeal I volunteered to contest from Vellore,” he added.
His biggest strength, according to him, is being an educated youth, committed to do good for the people and willing to bring change in all forms if given an opportunity. “I do not want to reap anything from politics,” he quipped.
“I will be corruption free and accessible to the people of this constituency anytime.” He said he would focus on health issues, trade development, tourism promotion among other things. How would he go about convincing the voters? “I am working on the strategies which I may not be able to divulge now, but one thing I assure the people here that I would be a model MP,” he added.
Shoukath feels that the strength and support of the party cadre, his plan to undertake a door-to-door campaign, Captain’s charisma and cashing in on the ‘vote for change’ mood will help him garner support from the majority of the Velloreans.
Source: www.expressbuzz.com
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Teach DMK, AIADMK fitting lesson: DMDK
New promise: DMDK leader Vijaykant addressing an election campaign at Sri Ramapuram near Dindigul on Tuesday.
DINDIGUL: “Give Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam an opportunity to root out corruption and eradicate poverty. Already you (voters ) are tired of electing DMK five times and AIAMDK twice which did nothing for your welfare and development of the state. Both parties have become prosperous with your votes. But you remain paupers even today,” said Vijaykant, DMDK leader.
He was kicking off his election campaign for DMDK candidate P. Muthuvel Raj at Reddiyarchatram, near here on Monday.
“Both have deceived you. It is the right time to teach them a fitting lesson,” he said and questioned, “Do you want to cast your vote once again to one of them that did not respect people?” The crowd cheerfully shouted, “no.”
“You think and decide, show your power to them,” he said.
Higher education was still not accessible to the poor. Education loan was a distant dream to common man but accessible only to those who got recommendation from political leaders.
Home Minister P. Chidambaram announced that students would get interest free loan and the announcement remained only on paper, he charged.
Having listed out the failures of State and Central governments, he also said that DMK has been silently watching people being killed in Sri Lanka.
Even today, Tamil Nadu has been depending on three neighbouring States for water.
Both parties failed miserably in settling Cauvery and Mullai Periyar issues, he added.
Crowd was impressive at Sri Ramapuram and poor at Reddiyarchatram and Chinnalapatti.
He cancelled his campaign tour half way owing to vehicle repair and decided to campaign at Chinnalapatti, Nilakottai and Natham in the evening.
Despite ban on plastics, festoons made of plastics decorated several roads at Chinnalapatti.
Concluding his campaign for Karur constituency candidate R. Ramanathan at Vedasandur on Monday night, Mr. Vijaykant said over 40,000 mill workers had lost their jobs owing to acute power crisis that paralysed spinning mills in Vedasandur.
All sections of people including farmers have been struggling. The State government could not repair shutters of Kudaganar dam for the past one year.
Source: www.hindu.com
Friday, April 3, 2009
Vijaykanth calls all Tamil Nadu politicians corrupt
Apr 2nd, 2009
Chennai, April 2 (IANS) Actor-turned-politician and DMDK leader Vijaykanth Thursday charged all the political leaders in Tamil Nadu with indulging in corruption.
“My DMDK is in the political fray, placing its faith on suffering masses especially women to fight against self-seeking politicians for whom power through coalitions are means to loot and share the booty,” Vijaykanth said in a series of election meetings in southern Tamil Nadu, party sources said.
He said while there had been no stigma of graft against former chief ministers K. Kamaraj and C.N. Annadurai, current Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and his predecessor and AIADMK general secretary J. Jayalalitha had indulged in corruption but were still seeking votes from the people.
“From nationalised banks to small cooperative affairs, from major contracts to minor village-level improvements, every public act is a source for corruption,” Vijaykanth said, adding he began his career against such corruption and would continue to do so.
During his public meetings since Monday, Vijaykanth has been continuously attacking all political leaders of the state including Home Minister P. Chidambaram.
The DMDK is contesting all 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu in multi-cornered contests versus political fronts led by the ruling DMK and the main opposition led by AIADMK, besides the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance comprising smaller outfits led by other actors-turned-politicians Sarath Kumar and Karthick.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati is scheduled to campaign Friday in temple town Madurai, 400 km from the state capital, party general secretary Suresh Mane told reporters Thursday.
He said the BSP had announced 23 candidates, drawn from different castes, religions and economic backgrounds, and Mayawati was expected to announce the remaining 16.
Source: www.sindhtoday.net
Chennai, April 2 (IANS) Actor-turned-politician and DMDK leader Vijaykanth Thursday charged all the political leaders in Tamil Nadu with indulging in corruption.
“My DMDK is in the political fray, placing its faith on suffering masses especially women to fight against self-seeking politicians for whom power through coalitions are means to loot and share the booty,” Vijaykanth said in a series of election meetings in southern Tamil Nadu, party sources said.
He said while there had been no stigma of graft against former chief ministers K. Kamaraj and C.N. Annadurai, current Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and his predecessor and AIADMK general secretary J. Jayalalitha had indulged in corruption but were still seeking votes from the people.
“From nationalised banks to small cooperative affairs, from major contracts to minor village-level improvements, every public act is a source for corruption,” Vijaykanth said, adding he began his career against such corruption and would continue to do so.
During his public meetings since Monday, Vijaykanth has been continuously attacking all political leaders of the state including Home Minister P. Chidambaram.
The DMDK is contesting all 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu in multi-cornered contests versus political fronts led by the ruling DMK and the main opposition led by AIADMK, besides the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance comprising smaller outfits led by other actors-turned-politicians Sarath Kumar and Karthick.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati is scheduled to campaign Friday in temple town Madurai, 400 km from the state capital, party general secretary Suresh Mane told reporters Thursday.
He said the BSP had announced 23 candidates, drawn from different castes, religions and economic backgrounds, and Mayawati was expected to announce the remaining 16.
Source: www.sindhtoday.net
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Vijayakanth Interview...Old One but Good One
'I will not loot the people'
May 08, 2006
When film actor Vijayakanth started the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam party, nobody gave him a chance. His DMDK party entered the election fray all alone when the two major parties -- the DMK and the AIADMK -- are contesting the polls in the company of many other smaller parties. He also fielded candidates in all 234 constituencies in Tamil Nadu.
Initially, he was was ridiculed by many. Soon, much to the surprise of all the poll watchers, people thronged to his meetings in large numbers. Rural Tamil Nadu, especially the rural youth, find his manifesto appealing, and seem to believe that he will be able to keep his promises.
Though earlier opinion polls did not give him many votes, he is now expected to get 10 to 15 per cent of votes, and could be the deciding factor in the May 8 election.
Shobha Warrier caught up with him on a hot May morning near Vridhachalam.
Why did you decide to choose Vridhachalam as your constituency which many say is not very safe for you?
I chose Vridhachalam because I have a lot of fans here. Then, this is a village, and I love villages. I have come here several times earlier, and I have noticed that it is very remote, and it will be a challenge to develop such a place.
Some leaders choose Chennai (Karunanidhi) and some the southern end of Tamil Nadu (Jayalalithaa). Kalaignar (Karunanidhi) was born in Thiruvaroor. Why is he standing from Chennai? From Chennai, Jayalalithaa has gone to Aandipatti. (The late Congress doyen K Kamaraj) who was born in Virudhunagar went to Nagercoil to contest the elections. I decided to contest from the centre of the state.
The Assembly Election 2006
Is it necessary that we should choose only safe seats? What is needed is to serve the people, which you can do from any place. I also felt that as the leader of a party, I should not look for a safe constituency. Instead I should contest from a place which is the toughest. When a leader of a party contests from a rural place, it will help the development of the village immensely.
Now that you have been campaigning here as a candidate, what do you think this village lacks, and what are your plans for this village?
I have noticed that this place does not have drinking water. There are no good roads here. No medical facilities too. I want to first provide them these three major things. And I will fulfil my promise. Even if I am only an MLA, I will ensure the development of this remote village. I will not leave the place unless I solve these three major concerns.
Many describe your decision to go alone as courageous. Why did you decide to do that?
Yes, it is a courageous decision. Unless you stand alone, how will people know what you are capable of?
Why are you offering so many freebies?
Kalaignar today says he will give subsidised kerosene. Jayalalithaa says she will give 4 grams of gold to all brides. I have promised all this in the beginning itself. I have promised to give Rs 10,000 when a girl child is born in a family. With that Rs 10,000 itself, you can buy gold but I said I would deposit that amount in the bank for the child. By the time she is ready for marriage, it will become Rs 2 lakhs with which you can buy gold and also conduct her wedding.
When I said I would give cows, many scoffed at me. But you know why I promised to give a cow to a family that is below the poverty line? It will help a family in a village because it gives milk. I did not make any stupid promises. I promised only what is needed for the rural poor.
The Sun may set forever in Thanjavur
Now, the other two parties are offering more and more freebies, one after the other, every day. Why were they not giving all this when they were in power? If they are offering all this, it means it is possible to give these things. Why did they cheat the people all these years?
You should understand that I have promised certain things in the beginning and I am sticking to it unlike these two parties who are vying with each other every day. Are they not trying to cheat people?
You worked in films for so many years and made money. Why do you spend your hard earned money in politics?
Even when I was young, I had this inclination to help people. It has continued. The path I have chosen is a path to do service.It is not that I will do it only after I join politics. I have been doing social service all these years.
I felt politics will give me more opportunity to help people, and it is difficult to help all as an individual. If I could do so many things as an individual, as a political leader, will I not be able to do more?
All the opinion polls say you will decide who will come to power in Tamil Nadu in the sense, the results depend on which party's votes you will be taking away. What do you say about this?I don't think of all those things. I don't even know what the opinion polls say. I don't want to.
When you first said you were standing alone, nobody gave you any chance or importance. Now that the D-day is fast approaching, poll pundits say you will be a strong force…
You are right. Nobody wrote good things about me. Nobody said good things about me. I would say they saw the pulse of the people only now while I saw it much earlier. I understood the minds of the people, that's why I decided to face the electorate all alone. Both the parties are doing wrong things. But instead of talking about what they have not done, I am telling people what I will do for them.
What kind of results do you expect in this election for your party?
I have fielded candidates in 234 constituencies. As a leader, I should say we will win in all the 234 seats. If there is 65 per cent polling, we will get 67 seats. If the poll percentage is more than 75 to 80 per cent, then we will get the state like it happened to NTR (the late Andhra Pradesh leader and movie superstar N T Rama Rao). Many are talking about a hung assembly but I feel miracles can also happen.
Vijayakanth has to wait patiently
If it is a hung assembly, will you join any alliance?
I have not even thought about that now.
You are testing the electoral waters for the first time. If you don't get the expected results, will you go away, or, will you continue in politics?
I will continue in politics. I did not come here to run away. I have seen victory and failure several times when I was in the movies. So, I am not scared of losses at all.
When I travelled to rural Tamil Nadu, I found that the youth are very attracted to you because you are promising education and employment opportunities.
Who made them uneducated? Who is responsible if they are not educated and they have no jobs? Both the DMK and the AIADMK. You can describe people as educated. Why do we have uneducated?
Kalaignar was the chief minister four times. Jayalalithaa was the CM twice. Why didn't they do something for the youth? Why didn't they take care of them?
The expectations of rural youth are really high. They say you will do this, that… Are you not scared?
I am not scared. Why should I be scared?
We can fulfil their dreams. It is not impossible. It is possible. I have the confidence in me that I can do more than what I have promised. The others have been looting the people all these years. If you don't do that, you can do a lot for the people. I will not loot. I will only serve the people.
Is it not difficult to be so pure in politics? You may be honest and good at heart but you will have MLAs and people to work for you. If they are corrupt, what can you do?
I don't agree with you. Today, party members will listen to what the leader says. Why am I canvassing in all the 234 constituencies? Because I want to tell the people that I am responsible.
Dindigul: Are elections really on?
You are being compared to MGR…
MGR is not anybody's property. People compare me to MGR. I had told my people not to compare me with MGR because he was in the other party. But they refused to listen to me. The irony is now that we have the picture of MGR in our posters, the AIADMK also has him in their posters. Till now, you had only Jayalalithaa's photo in their posters.
Because we have Kamaraj's photo in our posters, the Congress suddenly remembered him. Till now the Congress had only pictures of Indira Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. Now, suddenly they have discovered Kamaraj.
Caste plays a major role in Tamil Nadu elections. Did you look at the caste of the person while choosing a candidate?
I didn't write my caste and religion in the form. Our party does not believe in caste or religion.
Source:www.rediff.com
May 08, 2006
When film actor Vijayakanth started the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam party, nobody gave him a chance. His DMDK party entered the election fray all alone when the two major parties -- the DMK and the AIADMK -- are contesting the polls in the company of many other smaller parties. He also fielded candidates in all 234 constituencies in Tamil Nadu.
Initially, he was was ridiculed by many. Soon, much to the surprise of all the poll watchers, people thronged to his meetings in large numbers. Rural Tamil Nadu, especially the rural youth, find his manifesto appealing, and seem to believe that he will be able to keep his promises.
Though earlier opinion polls did not give him many votes, he is now expected to get 10 to 15 per cent of votes, and could be the deciding factor in the May 8 election.
Shobha Warrier caught up with him on a hot May morning near Vridhachalam.
Why did you decide to choose Vridhachalam as your constituency which many say is not very safe for you?
I chose Vridhachalam because I have a lot of fans here. Then, this is a village, and I love villages. I have come here several times earlier, and I have noticed that it is very remote, and it will be a challenge to develop such a place.
Some leaders choose Chennai (Karunanidhi) and some the southern end of Tamil Nadu (Jayalalithaa). Kalaignar (Karunanidhi) was born in Thiruvaroor. Why is he standing from Chennai? From Chennai, Jayalalithaa has gone to Aandipatti. (The late Congress doyen K Kamaraj) who was born in Virudhunagar went to Nagercoil to contest the elections. I decided to contest from the centre of the state.
The Assembly Election 2006
Is it necessary that we should choose only safe seats? What is needed is to serve the people, which you can do from any place. I also felt that as the leader of a party, I should not look for a safe constituency. Instead I should contest from a place which is the toughest. When a leader of a party contests from a rural place, it will help the development of the village immensely.
Now that you have been campaigning here as a candidate, what do you think this village lacks, and what are your plans for this village?
I have noticed that this place does not have drinking water. There are no good roads here. No medical facilities too. I want to first provide them these three major things. And I will fulfil my promise. Even if I am only an MLA, I will ensure the development of this remote village. I will not leave the place unless I solve these three major concerns.
Many describe your decision to go alone as courageous. Why did you decide to do that?
Yes, it is a courageous decision. Unless you stand alone, how will people know what you are capable of?
Why are you offering so many freebies?
Kalaignar today says he will give subsidised kerosene. Jayalalithaa says she will give 4 grams of gold to all brides. I have promised all this in the beginning itself. I have promised to give Rs 10,000 when a girl child is born in a family. With that Rs 10,000 itself, you can buy gold but I said I would deposit that amount in the bank for the child. By the time she is ready for marriage, it will become Rs 2 lakhs with which you can buy gold and also conduct her wedding.
When I said I would give cows, many scoffed at me. But you know why I promised to give a cow to a family that is below the poverty line? It will help a family in a village because it gives milk. I did not make any stupid promises. I promised only what is needed for the rural poor.
The Sun may set forever in Thanjavur
Now, the other two parties are offering more and more freebies, one after the other, every day. Why were they not giving all this when they were in power? If they are offering all this, it means it is possible to give these things. Why did they cheat the people all these years?
You should understand that I have promised certain things in the beginning and I am sticking to it unlike these two parties who are vying with each other every day. Are they not trying to cheat people?
You worked in films for so many years and made money. Why do you spend your hard earned money in politics?
Even when I was young, I had this inclination to help people. It has continued. The path I have chosen is a path to do service.It is not that I will do it only after I join politics. I have been doing social service all these years.
I felt politics will give me more opportunity to help people, and it is difficult to help all as an individual. If I could do so many things as an individual, as a political leader, will I not be able to do more?
All the opinion polls say you will decide who will come to power in Tamil Nadu in the sense, the results depend on which party's votes you will be taking away. What do you say about this?I don't think of all those things. I don't even know what the opinion polls say. I don't want to.
When you first said you were standing alone, nobody gave you any chance or importance. Now that the D-day is fast approaching, poll pundits say you will be a strong force…
You are right. Nobody wrote good things about me. Nobody said good things about me. I would say they saw the pulse of the people only now while I saw it much earlier. I understood the minds of the people, that's why I decided to face the electorate all alone. Both the parties are doing wrong things. But instead of talking about what they have not done, I am telling people what I will do for them.
What kind of results do you expect in this election for your party?
I have fielded candidates in 234 constituencies. As a leader, I should say we will win in all the 234 seats. If there is 65 per cent polling, we will get 67 seats. If the poll percentage is more than 75 to 80 per cent, then we will get the state like it happened to NTR (the late Andhra Pradesh leader and movie superstar N T Rama Rao). Many are talking about a hung assembly but I feel miracles can also happen.
Vijayakanth has to wait patiently
If it is a hung assembly, will you join any alliance?
I have not even thought about that now.
You are testing the electoral waters for the first time. If you don't get the expected results, will you go away, or, will you continue in politics?
I will continue in politics. I did not come here to run away. I have seen victory and failure several times when I was in the movies. So, I am not scared of losses at all.
When I travelled to rural Tamil Nadu, I found that the youth are very attracted to you because you are promising education and employment opportunities.
Who made them uneducated? Who is responsible if they are not educated and they have no jobs? Both the DMK and the AIADMK. You can describe people as educated. Why do we have uneducated?
Kalaignar was the chief minister four times. Jayalalithaa was the CM twice. Why didn't they do something for the youth? Why didn't they take care of them?
The expectations of rural youth are really high. They say you will do this, that… Are you not scared?
I am not scared. Why should I be scared?
We can fulfil their dreams. It is not impossible. It is possible. I have the confidence in me that I can do more than what I have promised. The others have been looting the people all these years. If you don't do that, you can do a lot for the people. I will not loot. I will only serve the people.
Is it not difficult to be so pure in politics? You may be honest and good at heart but you will have MLAs and people to work for you. If they are corrupt, what can you do?
I don't agree with you. Today, party members will listen to what the leader says. Why am I canvassing in all the 234 constituencies? Because I want to tell the people that I am responsible.
Dindigul: Are elections really on?
You are being compared to MGR…
MGR is not anybody's property. People compare me to MGR. I had told my people not to compare me with MGR because he was in the other party. But they refused to listen to me. The irony is now that we have the picture of MGR in our posters, the AIADMK also has him in their posters. Till now, you had only Jayalalithaa's photo in their posters.
Because we have Kamaraj's photo in our posters, the Congress suddenly remembered him. Till now the Congress had only pictures of Indira Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. Now, suddenly they have discovered Kamaraj.
Caste plays a major role in Tamil Nadu elections. Did you look at the caste of the person while choosing a candidate?
I didn't write my caste and religion in the form. Our party does not believe in caste or religion.
Source:www.rediff.com
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
VijayaKanth out with candidates list
NT Bureau | Thu, 26 Mar, 2009,03:12 PM
.
After being the first to kickstart the election campaign, actor-politician and DMDK president Vijayakanth took the lead in releasing the first list of candidates for the 13 May Lok Sabha elections.
.
At a time when last ditch efforts are on by the Congress to rope the party into the DMK-led DPA, the release of candidates and constituency list (some places where Congress will be contesting) makes it explicitly clear that his party would go it alone in its maiden foray in the Lok Sabha polls.
Vijayakanth, who kickstarted his campaign trail on 22 March from Kancheepuarm had already hinted that he would go it alone in the ensuing polls, saying his alliance was only with the ‘God’ and the ‘people’.
However, he had said he would reveal his party’s stand while re-launching his campaign from the southern tip of Kanniyakumari today.
Hours before re-commencing his electioneering, Vijayakanth who had conducted interviews with the aspiring candidates over the last three days, today announced the first list of nine candidates for the elections.
K Pandiarajan, founder of Ma Foi Management Consultants limited, a public limited HR Consulting company, figure among the first list. He would test the election waters from the Virudhunagar Parliamentary constituency.
DMDK Deputy General Secretary and former AIADMK Rajya Sabha Member S Austin, who had quit the party and joined the DMDK when it was founded in 2005, was nominated from Kanniyakumari.
Following is the first list of candidates
P Muthuvelraj (Dindugul), S Austin (Kanniyakumari), S Michael Royappan (Tirunelveli), Ma Foi K Pandiarajan (Virudhunagar), ‘Azhagapuram’ R Mohanraj (Salem), A M G Vijayakumar (Trichy), R M Muthulakshmi (Madurai), M C Santhanam (Theni) and N Mageshwaran (Namakkal).
(Photos on Page 7)
Lashes out at MK
Vijayakanth condemned Chief Minister M Karunanidhi for demeaning the sentiments of others in the Lankan issue. Addressing media persons at Chennai airport before leaving to Kaniyakumari today, the DMDK leader said by making callous and needless remarks on others over the Lankan Tamil issue, he is demaning their intentions.
It may be recalled that Karunanidhi, taking a dig at PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss, said yesterday, ‘Let their supporters make a clandestine visit to Sri Lanka. We, who are charged as cowards, will enjoy their victory. Let them also take AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa to head their march, who will definitely win and arrest Rajapakse and bring him to India’.
‘I am not for 3 or 4 seats’
Putting rest to speculation that he would join the DMK-Congress alliance in Tamilnadu, Vijayakanth today said in Kanyakumari that he was not running the party for three or four seats.
He was apparently referring to the reported offer of some seats by the Congress to rope in the DMDK into the alliance led by DMK in the State.
‘If I wanted to have an alliance, I would have settled for three or four seats,’ the 57-year old actor said. The DMDK had polled eight per cent votes in the 2007 Assembly elections even though Vijayakanth was the lone winner of his party.
With the PMK joining the rival AIADMK-led front, the DMK-Congress combine would contest the 39 Lok Sabha seats with smaller allies like the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi.Vijayakanth lashed out at the UPA Government, accusing it of not doing any thing to save the Sri Lankan Tamils.
Source:newstodaynet.com
.
After being the first to kickstart the election campaign, actor-politician and DMDK president Vijayakanth took the lead in releasing the first list of candidates for the 13 May Lok Sabha elections.
.
At a time when last ditch efforts are on by the Congress to rope the party into the DMK-led DPA, the release of candidates and constituency list (some places where Congress will be contesting) makes it explicitly clear that his party would go it alone in its maiden foray in the Lok Sabha polls.
Vijayakanth, who kickstarted his campaign trail on 22 March from Kancheepuarm had already hinted that he would go it alone in the ensuing polls, saying his alliance was only with the ‘God’ and the ‘people’.
However, he had said he would reveal his party’s stand while re-launching his campaign from the southern tip of Kanniyakumari today.
Hours before re-commencing his electioneering, Vijayakanth who had conducted interviews with the aspiring candidates over the last three days, today announced the first list of nine candidates for the elections.
K Pandiarajan, founder of Ma Foi Management Consultants limited, a public limited HR Consulting company, figure among the first list. He would test the election waters from the Virudhunagar Parliamentary constituency.
DMDK Deputy General Secretary and former AIADMK Rajya Sabha Member S Austin, who had quit the party and joined the DMDK when it was founded in 2005, was nominated from Kanniyakumari.
Following is the first list of candidates
P Muthuvelraj (Dindugul), S Austin (Kanniyakumari), S Michael Royappan (Tirunelveli), Ma Foi K Pandiarajan (Virudhunagar), ‘Azhagapuram’ R Mohanraj (Salem), A M G Vijayakumar (Trichy), R M Muthulakshmi (Madurai), M C Santhanam (Theni) and N Mageshwaran (Namakkal).
(Photos on Page 7)
Lashes out at MK
Vijayakanth condemned Chief Minister M Karunanidhi for demeaning the sentiments of others in the Lankan issue. Addressing media persons at Chennai airport before leaving to Kaniyakumari today, the DMDK leader said by making callous and needless remarks on others over the Lankan Tamil issue, he is demaning their intentions.
It may be recalled that Karunanidhi, taking a dig at PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss, said yesterday, ‘Let their supporters make a clandestine visit to Sri Lanka. We, who are charged as cowards, will enjoy their victory. Let them also take AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa to head their march, who will definitely win and arrest Rajapakse and bring him to India’.
‘I am not for 3 or 4 seats’
Putting rest to speculation that he would join the DMK-Congress alliance in Tamilnadu, Vijayakanth today said in Kanyakumari that he was not running the party for three or four seats.
He was apparently referring to the reported offer of some seats by the Congress to rope in the DMDK into the alliance led by DMK in the State.
‘If I wanted to have an alliance, I would have settled for three or four seats,’ the 57-year old actor said. The DMDK had polled eight per cent votes in the 2007 Assembly elections even though Vijayakanth was the lone winner of his party.
With the PMK joining the rival AIADMK-led front, the DMK-Congress combine would contest the 39 Lok Sabha seats with smaller allies like the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi.Vijayakanth lashed out at the UPA Government, accusing it of not doing any thing to save the Sri Lankan Tamils.
Source:newstodaynet.com
HR man in DMDK candidate list; no headroom for Cong alliance
26 Mar 2009, 1927 hrs IST
CHENNAI: Human Resource managers who are back in limelight this recession, seem to have found themselves a political niche as well.
Ma Foi HR consulting MD Pandiarajan, who is an office bearer of the political party DMDK, lead by actor Vijayakanth, has been nominated by the party to contest in the LS elections from the Virudhunagar constituency in South Tamil Nadu. The party has been involved in employment livelihood camps, especially for the physically and socially challenged, in partnership with Ma Foi, in the past.
DMDK released its list of candidates in for nine constituencies, mainly in southern and central TN, on Thursday, fielding Mr. Pandiarajan as one of them.
The nine constituencies listed included Trichy, Salem, Kanyakumari, Madurai and Dindigul, where the congress and DMK have their strongholds. This is said to indicate a decisive action against any alliance with the DMK-lead DPA or the Congress in the polls. The other constituencies for which candidates were announced were Tirunelveli, Theni and Namakkal.
Poll observers say DMDK’s non-alignment will cost the other two major rival alliances in TN equally, by splitting votes, but not reaching a majority. In the south, Vijay Kanth is likely to garner votes that would normally go to the DMK, while DMDK would eat into PMK votes in the north.
Source:economictimes.indiatimes.com
CHENNAI: Human Resource managers who are back in limelight this recession, seem to have found themselves a political niche as well.
Ma Foi HR consulting MD Pandiarajan, who is an office bearer of the political party DMDK, lead by actor Vijayakanth, has been nominated by the party to contest in the LS elections from the Virudhunagar constituency in South Tamil Nadu. The party has been involved in employment livelihood camps, especially for the physically and socially challenged, in partnership with Ma Foi, in the past.
DMDK released its list of candidates in for nine constituencies, mainly in southern and central TN, on Thursday, fielding Mr. Pandiarajan as one of them.
The nine constituencies listed included Trichy, Salem, Kanyakumari, Madurai and Dindigul, where the congress and DMK have their strongholds. This is said to indicate a decisive action against any alliance with the DMK-lead DPA or the Congress in the polls. The other constituencies for which candidates were announced were Tirunelveli, Theni and Namakkal.
Poll observers say DMDK’s non-alignment will cost the other two major rival alliances in TN equally, by splitting votes, but not reaching a majority. In the south, Vijay Kanth is likely to garner votes that would normally go to the DMK, while DMDK would eat into PMK votes in the north.
Source:economictimes.indiatimes.com
Vijaykanth launches campaign, rules out electoral alliances
Vijaykanth launches campaign, rules out electoral alliances
Kanyakumari (IANS): Actor-politician Vijaykanth on Thursday told huge crowds that his DMDK party would not have any alliance with other political parties for the Lok Sabha polls and would prove it was a party to "reckon with".
Addressing supporters after launching his 42-day campaign from this town, Vijaykanth said: "Instead of having alliances with self-seeking political outfits that keep talking about 'deals' our party will prefer to align with god and you - the common public - whose verdict, to us, will be the endorsement from divinity."
"The DMDM neither believes in power nor alms of three or four parliamentary seats. My political future or personal fortunes were never in question even when my marriage hall was partly demolished in Chennai (in 2007)," Mr. Vijaykanth added.
Speaking to reporters earlier in Chennai after releasing his first list of nine candidates, the actor hoped his party would prove its credentials during the parliamentary polls.
He said: "Our party will prove to the Tamil masses that the DMDK is a power to reckon with in this state. We will appeal to our supporters to wholeheartedly work for their victory."
The DMDK candidates announced so far will be contesting from Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Dindigul, Madurai, Theni (all in southern Tamil Nadu), besides Tiruchirappalli, Salem and Namakkal (in the central part of the state).
Tamil Nadu will see elections for its 39 Lok Sabha seats May 13.
Source: hindu.com
Kanyakumari (IANS): Actor-politician Vijaykanth on Thursday told huge crowds that his DMDK party would not have any alliance with other political parties for the Lok Sabha polls and would prove it was a party to "reckon with".
Addressing supporters after launching his 42-day campaign from this town, Vijaykanth said: "Instead of having alliances with self-seeking political outfits that keep talking about 'deals' our party will prefer to align with god and you - the common public - whose verdict, to us, will be the endorsement from divinity."
"The DMDM neither believes in power nor alms of three or four parliamentary seats. My political future or personal fortunes were never in question even when my marriage hall was partly demolished in Chennai (in 2007)," Mr. Vijaykanth added.
Speaking to reporters earlier in Chennai after releasing his first list of nine candidates, the actor hoped his party would prove its credentials during the parliamentary polls.
He said: "Our party will prove to the Tamil masses that the DMDK is a power to reckon with in this state. We will appeal to our supporters to wholeheartedly work for their victory."
The DMDK candidates announced so far will be contesting from Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Dindigul, Madurai, Theni (all in southern Tamil Nadu), besides Tiruchirappalli, Salem and Namakkal (in the central part of the state).
Tamil Nadu will see elections for its 39 Lok Sabha seats May 13.
Source: hindu.com
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
DMDK announces list of nine candidates
IN FULL FLOW: DMDK president Vijayakant addressing an election meeting in Kanyakumari on Thursday.
NAGERCOIL: Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam founder Vijayakant on Thursday announced a list of nine candidates for the Lok Sabha election and reiterated that his party would not have alliance with any other party.
The candidates are K. Pandia Rajan (Virudhunagar), S. Austin (Kanyakumari), P. Muthuvelraj (Dindigul), S. Michael Rayappan (Tirunelveli), Alagapuram R. Mohanraj (Salem), A.M.G. Vijayakumar (Tiruchi), R.M. Muthulakshmi (Madurai), N.C. Santhanam (Theni), and N. Maheswaran (Namakkal).
Campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls in Kanyakumari district on Thursday, he said neither the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam nor the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam had done anything for the welfare of the middle class, the poor and the downtrodden. These parties merely promoted the welfare of their own family members or friends and gave hardship to the people. The prices of essential commodities were skyrocketing. “If I raise this issue at public meetings, unidentified persons threaten me over phone,” he said.
He said the DMK and the AIADMK did nothing for the benefit of innocent Tamils in Sri Lanka other than declaring themselves as the champions of the cause of Tamils in Sri Lanka. The DMK, a member of UPA, failed to mount pressure on the Centre to take immediate steps to stop the killing of innocent Tamils in the island nation. The younger generation was with the DMDK and they wanted a change at the Centre and in the State.
Mr. Vijayakant said the Congress was in a sorry state in north India and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad had allotted only three seats to this national party. This proved beyond doubt that without the help of regional parties, the Congress or the BJP or the Third Front would not be able to form the government at the Centre.
Mr. Vijayakant began his campaign at Kaliyakkavilai on the Tamil Nadu–Kerala border and addressed wayside meetings at Puthukadai, Painkulam, Thengapattinam, Thuckalay, Kottaram, Eadalakudi and Nagercoil.
Source:www.hindu.com
DMDK's fourth list out
NT Bureau | Mon, 30 Mar, 2009,04:01 PM
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The DMDK today announced its fourth list of candidates for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in which contestants for seats including Central Chennai, Puducherry and Thiruvallur were named.
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According to a press release from party president Vijayakanth, the candidates were R Suresh (Tiruvallur), V V Ramakrishnan (Central Chennai), Thamizhvendhan (Kanchipuram), M C Damodaran (Cuddalore), S Selvaraj (Nilgris), R Pandian (Coimbatore), Sasikumar (Chidambaram), G K Pandian (Mayiladuthurai), Muthukumar (Nagapattinam) and K A U Asana (Puducherry).
Source: newstodaynet.com
.
The DMDK today announced its fourth list of candidates for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in which contestants for seats including Central Chennai, Puducherry and Thiruvallur were named.
.
According to a press release from party president Vijayakanth, the candidates were R Suresh (Tiruvallur), V V Ramakrishnan (Central Chennai), Thamizhvendhan (Kanchipuram), M C Damodaran (Cuddalore), S Selvaraj (Nilgris), R Pandian (Coimbatore), Sasikumar (Chidambaram), G K Pandian (Mayiladuthurai), Muthukumar (Nagapattinam) and K A U Asana (Puducherry).
Source: newstodaynet.com
Vijayakanth blasts DMK and AIADMK
Madurai, Mar 30: DMDK leader Vijayakanth has alleged that M Karunanidhi and AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa cheated people during their rule. Addressing election meetings in Ramanathapuram district he said Karunanidhi had claimed that he was Chief Minister for five terms and Jayalalithaa said that she was Chief minister for two terms. He asked the people "tell me what both of them have done for you?" "There is no change in the policy of DMDK to have alliance with only God and the People.You should make DMDK voice reverberate in the Parliament", he said. - Agencies
Source: news.chennaionline.com
Source: news.chennaionline.com
Vijayakanth, a force to reckon with in TN politics
28 Mar 2009, 0416 hrs IST
Assisting his father in running the family rice mill in a dusty street in Madurai town in
southern Tamil Nadu, young Vijayaraj, a crazy fan
of matinee idol MGR, preferred to go
to watch MGR, rather than listen to his real teachers at school. The youth with unkempt hair relished re-enacting film scenes to his friends, but never dreamt of making it big in the Tamil film industry.
Vijayaraj, a school dropout, was a star among his friends due to his philanthropic nature. He was also known to be humane and used to freely mingle with workers in his rice mill and even share his food with them. Even when young, Vijayaraj juggled his time between managing the mill and pursuing his passion for movies.
A Madurai-based film distributor who was planning to make movies took him to Chennai, the destination of all starry-eyed youths, in 1976. However, the dream factory did not embrace the dark, 24-year-old with hardy, unsophisticated looks.
Seen as another actor in the Rajnikanth mould, Vijayaraj was cast alongside the emerging superstar in En Kelvikku Enna Pathil (What is the answer to my question), but was dumped. Many refused to act with him and big banner film-makers did not come forward to do movies with him. Fortune finally favoured him after he was rechristened Vijayakanth and got to play the protagonist in Inikkum Ilamai (Sweet Youth) in 1979.
Not one to look back after that, he went on to feature in several hits and became one of the top heroes in Tamil, acting in more than 150 films. He won the sobriquet captain after his blockbuster movie Captain Prabhakaran.
Before launching a political party in 2005, Vijayakanth raised his stakes among public by distributing assistance to poor through his fan clubs. Sensing that sections of the public may be disillusioned with the DMK and the AIADMK, Vijayakanth has positioned himself as an alternative to the Dravidian majors.
When his marriage hall was demolished by the NHAI, to make way for a grade separator at a key junction in Chennai, he accused the DMK, which holds the Union road transport ministry, of trying to scare him away from politics. His label as Black MGR did not go well with AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa, who accused him of trying to claim the MGR legacy. Once she also alleged that he came drunk to the state Assembly.
His Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) contested the Assembly election in May 2006 on its own, fielding candidates in 232 of the 234 constituencies and polling 8.33% of votes. It thus established itself as a party to reckon with. Though the Congress and AIADMK made intense efforts to bring him to their folds for the May 13 Lok Sabha polls, the Captain decided to fight on his own.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Assisting his father in running the family rice mill in a dusty street in Madurai town in
southern Tamil Nadu, young Vijayaraj, a crazy fan
of matinee idol MGR, preferred to go
to watch MGR, rather than listen to his real teachers at school. The youth with unkempt hair relished re-enacting film scenes to his friends, but never dreamt of making it big in the Tamil film industry.
Vijayaraj, a school dropout, was a star among his friends due to his philanthropic nature. He was also known to be humane and used to freely mingle with workers in his rice mill and even share his food with them. Even when young, Vijayaraj juggled his time between managing the mill and pursuing his passion for movies.
A Madurai-based film distributor who was planning to make movies took him to Chennai, the destination of all starry-eyed youths, in 1976. However, the dream factory did not embrace the dark, 24-year-old with hardy, unsophisticated looks.
Seen as another actor in the Rajnikanth mould, Vijayaraj was cast alongside the emerging superstar in En Kelvikku Enna Pathil (What is the answer to my question), but was dumped. Many refused to act with him and big banner film-makers did not come forward to do movies with him. Fortune finally favoured him after he was rechristened Vijayakanth and got to play the protagonist in Inikkum Ilamai (Sweet Youth) in 1979.
Not one to look back after that, he went on to feature in several hits and became one of the top heroes in Tamil, acting in more than 150 films. He won the sobriquet captain after his blockbuster movie Captain Prabhakaran.
Before launching a political party in 2005, Vijayakanth raised his stakes among public by distributing assistance to poor through his fan clubs. Sensing that sections of the public may be disillusioned with the DMK and the AIADMK, Vijayakanth has positioned himself as an alternative to the Dravidian majors.
When his marriage hall was demolished by the NHAI, to make way for a grade separator at a key junction in Chennai, he accused the DMK, which holds the Union road transport ministry, of trying to scare him away from politics. His label as Black MGR did not go well with AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa, who accused him of trying to claim the MGR legacy. Once she also alleged that he came drunk to the state Assembly.
His Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) contested the Assembly election in May 2006 on its own, fielding candidates in 232 of the 234 constituencies and polling 8.33% of votes. It thus established itself as a party to reckon with. Though the Congress and AIADMK made intense efforts to bring him to their folds for the May 13 Lok Sabha polls, the Captain decided to fight on his own.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Tamil heavyweights woo a wavering Vijaykanth
Tamil heavyweights woo a wavering Vijaykanth
With an 8% vote share in 2006, the actor is likely to be a spoilsport for DMK-Congress and AIADMK
Chennai: Tamil Nadu’s Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), being wooed by all major political parties in the state as they race to form alliances, could emerge as the classic spoiler, analysts said.
Formed by cine star Vijaykanth Naidu, DMDK contested the 2006 state assembly elections and managed to corner 8.33% of the votes. It also won from a lone seat in Virudanagar, which Vijaykanth contested.
The Democratic Progressive Alliance, which swept the polls in the last general election in 2004 and includes the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Congress party, is openly wooing Vijaykanth, especially after the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), a party with strong support from the Vanniyar community, withdrew from the formation.
Tamil Nadu sends 39 members to the Lok Sabha, elections for which have been scheduled in phases from 16 April-13 May.
“Congress and DMK leaders have started feeling the fear of anti-incumbency because of reasons like inflation. Vijaykanth is expected to bring anywhere between 5% and 10% votes,” says Cho S. Ramaswamy, political analyst and editor of Thughlak magazine. “He’ll be a spoiler. He will lose money in all constituencies but he will be an effective spoiler.”
DMK’s traditional rival All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has, however, been more cautious in approaching Vijaykanth, perhaps because the actor projects himself as Karuppu MGR (black MGR), associating himself with the late M.G. Ramachandran, the former Tamil Nadu chief minister and superstar who founded AIADMK, now led by J. Jayalalithaa.
Kingmaker? Actor-turned-politician Vijaykanth.
“In 2006 assembly elections, he (Vijaykanth) crossed the 8% threshold (in votes cast), which is why he gains importance in the coming elections,” says Krishna Anand, another Chennai-based political commentator. “But this 8% was probably that section of people who did not want to vote for either DMK or AIADMK.”
Anand says DMDK’s main appeal is to the younger generation, aged 20-23 years, who don’t want to be identified with the formations led by either DMK or AIADMK.
DMDK’s role of being a spolier that can decide which alliance wins makes Vijaykanth valuable. For now, the party is playing safe. “We will decide in the next three-four days,” said L.K. Sudheesh, DMDK spokesperson and Vijaykanth’s brother-in-law, when asked which party it will align with. The actor has hinted in public meetings that DMDK might contest on its own.
Anand says the 2011 state assembly polls is the real DMDK target, as Vijaykanth aspires to become chief minister. He adds that the party might lose its 8% vote share if it aligns with either of the two alliances.
“Especially those who belong to the middle class might not want to vote for DMDK if he aligns with either of the parties. So, the 8% factor has to be taken in with that kind of a qualification,” Anand says.
Source:www.livemint.com
With an 8% vote share in 2006, the actor is likely to be a spoilsport for DMK-Congress and AIADMK
Chennai: Tamil Nadu’s Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), being wooed by all major political parties in the state as they race to form alliances, could emerge as the classic spoiler, analysts said.
Formed by cine star Vijaykanth Naidu, DMDK contested the 2006 state assembly elections and managed to corner 8.33% of the votes. It also won from a lone seat in Virudanagar, which Vijaykanth contested.
The Democratic Progressive Alliance, which swept the polls in the last general election in 2004 and includes the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Congress party, is openly wooing Vijaykanth, especially after the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), a party with strong support from the Vanniyar community, withdrew from the formation.
Tamil Nadu sends 39 members to the Lok Sabha, elections for which have been scheduled in phases from 16 April-13 May.
“Congress and DMK leaders have started feeling the fear of anti-incumbency because of reasons like inflation. Vijaykanth is expected to bring anywhere between 5% and 10% votes,” says Cho S. Ramaswamy, political analyst and editor of Thughlak magazine. “He’ll be a spoiler. He will lose money in all constituencies but he will be an effective spoiler.”
DMK’s traditional rival All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has, however, been more cautious in approaching Vijaykanth, perhaps because the actor projects himself as Karuppu MGR (black MGR), associating himself with the late M.G. Ramachandran, the former Tamil Nadu chief minister and superstar who founded AIADMK, now led by J. Jayalalithaa.
Kingmaker? Actor-turned-politician Vijaykanth.
“In 2006 assembly elections, he (Vijaykanth) crossed the 8% threshold (in votes cast), which is why he gains importance in the coming elections,” says Krishna Anand, another Chennai-based political commentator. “But this 8% was probably that section of people who did not want to vote for either DMK or AIADMK.”
Anand says DMDK’s main appeal is to the younger generation, aged 20-23 years, who don’t want to be identified with the formations led by either DMK or AIADMK.
DMDK’s role of being a spolier that can decide which alliance wins makes Vijaykanth valuable. For now, the party is playing safe. “We will decide in the next three-four days,” said L.K. Sudheesh, DMDK spokesperson and Vijaykanth’s brother-in-law, when asked which party it will align with. The actor has hinted in public meetings that DMDK might contest on its own.
Anand says the 2011 state assembly polls is the real DMDK target, as Vijaykanth aspires to become chief minister. He adds that the party might lose its 8% vote share if it aligns with either of the two alliances.
“Especially those who belong to the middle class might not want to vote for DMDK if he aligns with either of the parties. So, the 8% factor has to be taken in with that kind of a qualification,” Anand says.
Source:www.livemint.com
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Cong likely to rope in DMDK in Tamil Nadu
Cong likely to rope in DMDK in Tamil Nadu
Published on Tue, Mar 10, 2009
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) President KV Thangkabalu on Monday hinted that the Congress was trying to rope in actor Vijayakanth's Desiya Murpokuku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) into the Congress-DMK alliance for Lok Sabha elections.
Thangkabalu said senior Congress leader Gulam Nabi Azad, who visited Tamil Nadu recently, had appealed that all newly formed parties should join the Congress alliance and this would apply to Vijayakanth's nascent DMDK also.
On Congress leader and Union Minister GK Vasan's remarks that there would soon be good news about Vijayakanth joining the Congress alliance, Thangkabalu said, ''it is good if there is a good news''.
Asked whether the Congress was waiting for Vijayakanth's decision on alliance, he said, ''we are yet to talk about the alliance''.
On Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK)'s stand, Thangkabalu said the party is still with the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) at the Centre.
He refused to be drawn into the controversy, when asked whether the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), led by Thol Thirumavalavan would remain in the Congress-DMK alliance.
Thangkabalu flayed AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa for accusing the Centre in the Sri Lankan Tamils issue and for adopting a double standard.
Source:ibnlive.in.com
Published on Tue, Mar 10, 2009
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) President KV Thangkabalu on Monday hinted that the Congress was trying to rope in actor Vijayakanth's Desiya Murpokuku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) into the Congress-DMK alliance for Lok Sabha elections.
Thangkabalu said senior Congress leader Gulam Nabi Azad, who visited Tamil Nadu recently, had appealed that all newly formed parties should join the Congress alliance and this would apply to Vijayakanth's nascent DMDK also.
On Congress leader and Union Minister GK Vasan's remarks that there would soon be good news about Vijayakanth joining the Congress alliance, Thangkabalu said, ''it is good if there is a good news''.
Asked whether the Congress was waiting for Vijayakanth's decision on alliance, he said, ''we are yet to talk about the alliance''.
On Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK)'s stand, Thangkabalu said the party is still with the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) at the Centre.
He refused to be drawn into the controversy, when asked whether the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), led by Thol Thirumavalavan would remain in the Congress-DMK alliance.
Thangkabalu flayed AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa for accusing the Centre in the Sri Lankan Tamils issue and for adopting a double standard.
Source:ibnlive.in.com
Vijayakanth is welcome, PMK mum: MK
Vijayakanth is welcome, PMK mum: MK
First Published : 14 Mar 2009 02:58:00 AM IST
CHENNAI: Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Friday invited actor Vijayakanth’s Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) to join the Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA), while saying that the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) had not contacted him on the alliance issue so far.
On the continuance of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) in DPA, Karunanidhi evaded a direct reply saying it would be known in the coming days as the talks on seat-sharing between the DMK and Congress progressed.
Asked to comment on the Congress remark that there would be “good news” from the DMDK, Karunanidhi said: “We will welcome good news from any quarters at any time.” But when questioned whether there was any information from the PMK, he said: “They have not contacted me so far.” Karunanidhi was addressing a press conference at the Secretariat after a gap of around 40 days.
Asked about the Congress statement that they would not allow the VCK to be part of their alliance and VCK’s counter that the issue should be clarified by the DMK chief, who heads the DPA, Karunanidhi said: “The Congress and DMK have just initiated talks on alliance...in the forthcoming developments, your [the media] wishes may get fulfilled or may not”.
There is speculation that the delay in the PMK clinching a deal with either of the two fronts led by the AIADMK and the DMK hinged on the allocation of seats to the party.
Whether the ever-oscillating Vijayakanth will reciprocate the positive signal sent by Karunanidhi will be known in the next few days as the Congress continues its efforts to rope him in.
Source: www.expressbuzz.com
First Published : 14 Mar 2009 02:58:00 AM IST
CHENNAI: Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Friday invited actor Vijayakanth’s Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) to join the Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA), while saying that the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) had not contacted him on the alliance issue so far.
On the continuance of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) in DPA, Karunanidhi evaded a direct reply saying it would be known in the coming days as the talks on seat-sharing between the DMK and Congress progressed.
Asked to comment on the Congress remark that there would be “good news” from the DMDK, Karunanidhi said: “We will welcome good news from any quarters at any time.” But when questioned whether there was any information from the PMK, he said: “They have not contacted me so far.” Karunanidhi was addressing a press conference at the Secretariat after a gap of around 40 days.
Asked about the Congress statement that they would not allow the VCK to be part of their alliance and VCK’s counter that the issue should be clarified by the DMK chief, who heads the DPA, Karunanidhi said: “The Congress and DMK have just initiated talks on alliance...in the forthcoming developments, your [the media] wishes may get fulfilled or may not”.
There is speculation that the delay in the PMK clinching a deal with either of the two fronts led by the AIADMK and the DMK hinged on the allocation of seats to the party.
Whether the ever-oscillating Vijayakanth will reciprocate the positive signal sent by Karunanidhi will be known in the next few days as the Congress continues its efforts to rope him in.
Source: www.expressbuzz.com
Vijayakanth does a double role ahead of polls
CHENNAI: While every politician in the state is frantically plotting poll strategies and
wooing allies, DMDK head Vijayakanth is busy
shooting and giving final touches to
'Mariyadhai', his latest film which is expected to hit the screens even as he hits the campaign trail.
Unlike other parties that hire star campaigners, the actor-turned-politician will be banking on his performance in 'Mariyadhai', a family entertainer, and 'Engal Asan', another film with a message for the masses, to swing the vote in his favour. The two films are scheduled to be released before the May 13 Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu.
In 'Engal Aasan' (Our Mentor), due for release on March 13, Vijayakanth plays the role of a bank manager who educates rural people about using the bank's resources to improve their lives.
For Vijayakanth, the line between real and reel life tends to be blurred. It was the success of 'Ramana', directed by A S Murugadoss of 'Ghajini' fame, that inspired him to enter politics. In the film, Vijayakanth plays the lead role of a lone hero crusading against corruption.
He formed Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam in 2005, but was not taken seriously by most of the established political parties. Parties such as the PMK and VCK, which oppose the entry of actors into politics, were openly dismissive of his political ambitions. Today however, after the DMDK's good showing in the 2006 assembly polls, his party is one of the most sought after both by the DMK and AIADMK. Contesting on its own in 232 of 234 seats, the DMDK polled an impressive 8.33% votes then.
Vijayakanth, after an initial call for boycott of the Lok Sabha elections which found no takers, is working hard to complete 'Mariyadhai', in which he plays the double role of father and son. The film is slated for an early April release.
DMDK sources said the Captain, a nickname taken from one of his popular films 'Captain Prabhakharan', has not even held discussions within the party on strategies for Lok Sabha elections. He believes there is still plenty of time and is therefore devoting time to his films. While the Congress is said to be actively wooing him, the AIADMK camp too is not averse to a tie-up with the actor, who projected himself as 'black MGR' during the 2006 assembly election to erode the AIADMK's vote base.
Whether his latest films will give the much-needed political boost for the fledgling DMDK in a crucial election is still a question mark. Most of his films after 'Ramana' fared poorly in the box office and failed to raise his stature among masses as the "crusader against evil forces".
Source:timesofindia.indiatimes.com
wooing allies, DMDK head Vijayakanth is busy
shooting and giving final touches to
'Mariyadhai', his latest film which is expected to hit the screens even as he hits the campaign trail.
Unlike other parties that hire star campaigners, the actor-turned-politician will be banking on his performance in 'Mariyadhai', a family entertainer, and 'Engal Asan', another film with a message for the masses, to swing the vote in his favour. The two films are scheduled to be released before the May 13 Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu.
In 'Engal Aasan' (Our Mentor), due for release on March 13, Vijayakanth plays the role of a bank manager who educates rural people about using the bank's resources to improve their lives.
For Vijayakanth, the line between real and reel life tends to be blurred. It was the success of 'Ramana', directed by A S Murugadoss of 'Ghajini' fame, that inspired him to enter politics. In the film, Vijayakanth plays the lead role of a lone hero crusading against corruption.
He formed Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam in 2005, but was not taken seriously by most of the established political parties. Parties such as the PMK and VCK, which oppose the entry of actors into politics, were openly dismissive of his political ambitions. Today however, after the DMDK's good showing in the 2006 assembly polls, his party is one of the most sought after both by the DMK and AIADMK. Contesting on its own in 232 of 234 seats, the DMDK polled an impressive 8.33% votes then.
Vijayakanth, after an initial call for boycott of the Lok Sabha elections which found no takers, is working hard to complete 'Mariyadhai', in which he plays the double role of father and son. The film is slated for an early April release.
DMDK sources said the Captain, a nickname taken from one of his popular films 'Captain Prabhakharan', has not even held discussions within the party on strategies for Lok Sabha elections. He believes there is still plenty of time and is therefore devoting time to his films. While the Congress is said to be actively wooing him, the AIADMK camp too is not averse to a tie-up with the actor, who projected himself as 'black MGR' during the 2006 assembly election to erode the AIADMK's vote base.
Whether his latest films will give the much-needed political boost for the fledgling DMDK in a crucial election is still a question mark. Most of his films after 'Ramana' fared poorly in the box office and failed to raise his stature among masses as the "crusader against evil forces".
Source:timesofindia.indiatimes.com
BJP tries to woo Vijayakant's DMDK
Chennai (PTI): Amid intense efforts by Congress to bring Vijayakant's DMDK into DMK-led front in Tamil Nadu, BJP has also held discussions on a possible tie-up with the actor-turned-politician for the Lok Sabha polls.
The BJP, which is without any allies in the state so far, has held "some preliminary talks" with DMDK, BJP state president L Ganesan told reporters here.
Mr. Ganesan, however, declined to attach much importance to the talks with the party, which polled eight per cent of the votes in the 2006 Assembly elections and is perceived to be a significant player in the Parliamentary polls.
The state politics, of late, has already seen the two major regional party DMK and AIADMK becoming part of UPA the newly made third front respectively.
Congress has openly expressed its desire that DMDK should be part of the DMK-led front and reportedly stepped up efforts to woo Vijayakant's party. But, Tamil Nadu CM and DMK chief M Karunanidhi had denied having extended any invitation to the DMDK and blamed a section of media for such reports.
Mr. Ganesan said DMDK could retain its 'identity' as a party opposed to the two Dravidian parties if it aligned with BJP.
"DMDK will lose its identity by aligning with either of the (Dravidian) parties, but can retain it by aligning with BJP," he said.
Mr. Ganesan said parleys were also held with the All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi (AISMK), led by actor R Sarathkumar.
Source:www.hindu.com
The BJP, which is without any allies in the state so far, has held "some preliminary talks" with DMDK, BJP state president L Ganesan told reporters here.
Mr. Ganesan, however, declined to attach much importance to the talks with the party, which polled eight per cent of the votes in the 2006 Assembly elections and is perceived to be a significant player in the Parliamentary polls.
The state politics, of late, has already seen the two major regional party DMK and AIADMK becoming part of UPA the newly made third front respectively.
Congress has openly expressed its desire that DMDK should be part of the DMK-led front and reportedly stepped up efforts to woo Vijayakant's party. But, Tamil Nadu CM and DMK chief M Karunanidhi had denied having extended any invitation to the DMDK and blamed a section of media for such reports.
Mr. Ganesan said DMDK could retain its 'identity' as a party opposed to the two Dravidian parties if it aligned with BJP.
"DMDK will lose its identity by aligning with either of the (Dravidian) parties, but can retain it by aligning with BJP," he said.
Mr. Ganesan said parleys were also held with the All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi (AISMK), led by actor R Sarathkumar.
Source:www.hindu.com
DMDK to go it alone in LS polls
DMDK to go it alone in LS polls
Express News Service
First Published : 23 Mar 2009 02:24:00
KANCHEEPURAM: Starting his Lok Sabha campaign ahead of other leaders in Tamil Nadu, DMDK president Vijayakanth on Sunday ruled out an alliance with any of the major parties. However, he kept up an element of mystery, declaring that he would identify candidates whom his supporters would back.
Breaking his silence on alliance possibilities, the actor-turned politician asked his supporters at Pillayarpalayam, from where he launched his campaign, “Shall I forge an alliance with the DMK?” When there was loud response in the negative, he asked if he should clinch a deal with the AIADMK. The response again was a resounding ‘No’. “Then, you must vote for the candidate identified by me to bring about overall change,” he said.
Accusing the DMK, AIADMK and Congress of betraying Tamils for over four decades, he said, “Fishermen from the State are being mercilessly killed mid-sea. Sri Lankan Tamils are ruthlessly murdered everyday in the island nation. Moreover, there is no safety for our youth employed in the UAE or Malaysia.” He said the DMK had been fooling voters with freebies. “They have not taken any measures to bring down unemployment or to find a solution to the Mullaperiyar, Cauvery and Palar issues.”
Source: www.expressbuzz.com
Captain Vijayakanth kicks off campaign trail
Captain Vijayakanth kicks off campaign trail
22 Mar 2009, 2045 hrs IST
CHENNAI: After a week of anticipation that Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam
(DMDK) lead by actor turned politician 'captain' Vijayakanth
would announce its
alliance for the Lok Sabha elections on Sunday, Tamil Nadu was faced with an anti-climax: the party, instead, became the first one in the state to launch its election campaign.
What's more Vijayakanth, who has been keen on distancing his party and politics from the traditional and succesful dravidian politics in the state, hinted that his alliance would be only with the public.
"Do I look like I have an alliance with any other party for the sake of seat sharing?" he asked the crowds at Kancheepuram district, where the campaign trail began. "My alliance has always been with the people and God." The actor fashions a pan-TN charismatic appeal, as opposed to other parties here which have specific regional strongholds. Addressing voters from the streets encircling the temple at Kancheepuram, he instructed them to vote for the candidate whom he points out.
His brand of politics has always been about leveraging his familiarity and incorrupt image with voters. He reiterated his criticism on Tamil political parties of having been inefficient in handling the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, but remained non-committal on alliances with national parties, particularly the Congress. The party, rather close knit with Vijayakanth's wife Premalatha, her brother Sudheesh and party president Panruti Ramachandran playing key roles, was said to have been at Delhi last week, in talk with congress on seat sharing.
The party had also stressed yesterday that only with the help of the centre could the issues concerning TN like the Cauvery river water dispute and the Sri Lankan Tamils' plight be solved. In the recent past, its agenda had centred around developmental issues like power cuts in the state, road transport, equal education opportunities and job creation.
Source:economictimes.indiatimes.com
22 Mar 2009, 2045 hrs IST
CHENNAI: After a week of anticipation that Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam
(DMDK) lead by actor turned politician 'captain' Vijayakanth
would announce its
alliance for the Lok Sabha elections on Sunday, Tamil Nadu was faced with an anti-climax: the party, instead, became the first one in the state to launch its election campaign.
What's more Vijayakanth, who has been keen on distancing his party and politics from the traditional and succesful dravidian politics in the state, hinted that his alliance would be only with the public.
"Do I look like I have an alliance with any other party for the sake of seat sharing?" he asked the crowds at Kancheepuram district, where the campaign trail began. "My alliance has always been with the people and God." The actor fashions a pan-TN charismatic appeal, as opposed to other parties here which have specific regional strongholds. Addressing voters from the streets encircling the temple at Kancheepuram, he instructed them to vote for the candidate whom he points out.
His brand of politics has always been about leveraging his familiarity and incorrupt image with voters. He reiterated his criticism on Tamil political parties of having been inefficient in handling the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, but remained non-committal on alliances with national parties, particularly the Congress. The party, rather close knit with Vijayakanth's wife Premalatha, her brother Sudheesh and party president Panruti Ramachandran playing key roles, was said to have been at Delhi last week, in talk with congress on seat sharing.
The party had also stressed yesterday that only with the help of the centre could the issues concerning TN like the Cauvery river water dispute and the Sri Lankan Tamils' plight be solved. In the recent past, its agenda had centred around developmental issues like power cuts in the state, road transport, equal education opportunities and job creation.
Source:economictimes.indiatimes.com
Vijaykanth says no poll alliance, DMDK on its own
Mon, Mar 23, 2009 at 12:58
New Delhi: While other parties may be busy forming or undoing alliances, Tamil Nadu’s DMDK Chief Vijayakanth has decided to contest the elections all alone.
Despite efforts made by both Congress and the AIDMK, Vijayakanth has said no to allies.
The Congress party was trying to woo Vijayakanth into their alliance with the DMK.
Reports suggest that even AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa wanted Vijayakanth on her side despite their rivalry.
After weeks and months of deliberation, Vijayakanth seems to have decided to go it alone once again.
“Should I go with the DMK, or the AIDMK or with the congress? If you don't want me to go with anyone, will you vote for the candidate I point out to?” asked the actor-politician of his vote bank.
Vijaykanth’s party contested the last assembly elections all alone and won a voteshare of 8.3 per cent.
It emerged as the fourth largest force in Tamil Nadu after DMK, AIDMK and the Congress. But in those elections, he came back with only one MLA. Several political observers have pointed out that Vijaykanth's party will have to convert its votes into seats for its own political survival and that’s exactly why the actor has been looking for an ally.
“I will not leave this state until I make all you people live happily,” he promised his people.
Vijayakanth has started his election campaign while all the political parties in Tamil Nadu are still guessing which way the DMK would go.
Source:ibnlive.in.com
New Delhi: While other parties may be busy forming or undoing alliances, Tamil Nadu’s DMDK Chief Vijayakanth has decided to contest the elections all alone.
Despite efforts made by both Congress and the AIDMK, Vijayakanth has said no to allies.
The Congress party was trying to woo Vijayakanth into their alliance with the DMK.
Reports suggest that even AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa wanted Vijayakanth on her side despite their rivalry.
After weeks and months of deliberation, Vijayakanth seems to have decided to go it alone once again.
“Should I go with the DMK, or the AIDMK or with the congress? If you don't want me to go with anyone, will you vote for the candidate I point out to?” asked the actor-politician of his vote bank.
Vijaykanth’s party contested the last assembly elections all alone and won a voteshare of 8.3 per cent.
It emerged as the fourth largest force in Tamil Nadu after DMK, AIDMK and the Congress. But in those elections, he came back with only one MLA. Several political observers have pointed out that Vijaykanth's party will have to convert its votes into seats for its own political survival and that’s exactly why the actor has been looking for an ally.
“I will not leave this state until I make all you people live happily,” he promised his people.
Vijayakanth has started his election campaign while all the political parties in Tamil Nadu are still guessing which way the DMK would go.
Source:ibnlive.in.com
Vijayakanth interviews DMDK aspirants
Vijayakanth interviews DMDK aspirants
24 Mar 2009, 0000 hrs IST
CHENNAI: A day after declaring his party's alliance was "only with the people and god'',
actor Vijayakanth interviewed nearly 350 aspirants
for his DMDK party's Lok Saba
campaign.
In the backdrop of speculations that the Congress was still wooing him, Vijayakanth ploughed through a mound of over 2,000 applications for Lok Sabha tickets on Monday.
He questioned them about their popularity in their home districts, found out how much money they would be able to spend if they were contesting and tested their loyalties with some choice queries. Some of the questions he posed to the candidates included how popular they were in their region, how much money they would be able to spend and whether they would abide by whatever decision the party takes.
The actor personally interviewed about 350 applicants at his party headquarters in the city, and promised to meet all 2,067 cadres who submitted their applications over the next two days, giving the impression that the DMDK would be contesting on its own and fielding candidates in several constituencies for the Lok Sabha election in Tamil Nadu.
Kicking off his party's roadshow on Sunday, apparently said to be a token campaign on an auspicious day, Vijayakanth gave enough indication that his party would neither go with the ruling DMK nor the AIADMK.
However, his roadside speeches came with a rider. The actor announced that he would clear his stand on March 26.
Souce:timesofindia.indiatimes.com
24 Mar 2009, 0000 hrs IST
CHENNAI: A day after declaring his party's alliance was "only with the people and god'',
actor Vijayakanth interviewed nearly 350 aspirants
for his DMDK party's Lok Saba
campaign.
In the backdrop of speculations that the Congress was still wooing him, Vijayakanth ploughed through a mound of over 2,000 applications for Lok Sabha tickets on Monday.
He questioned them about their popularity in their home districts, found out how much money they would be able to spend if they were contesting and tested their loyalties with some choice queries. Some of the questions he posed to the candidates included how popular they were in their region, how much money they would be able to spend and whether they would abide by whatever decision the party takes.
The actor personally interviewed about 350 applicants at his party headquarters in the city, and promised to meet all 2,067 cadres who submitted their applications over the next two days, giving the impression that the DMDK would be contesting on its own and fielding candidates in several constituencies for the Lok Sabha election in Tamil Nadu.
Kicking off his party's roadshow on Sunday, apparently said to be a token campaign on an auspicious day, Vijayakanth gave enough indication that his party would neither go with the ruling DMK nor the AIADMK.
However, his roadside speeches came with a rider. The actor announced that he would clear his stand on March 26.
Souce:timesofindia.indiatimes.com
DMDK will contest alone in LS poll: Vijayakanth
VIJAYAKANTH, THE President of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) party in Tamil Nadu ruled out the possibility of any alliance with any major parties in the coming Lok Sabha election on Sunday (March 23).
Vijayakanth also started the election campaign of his party earlier than any other party in Tamil Nadu.
In a meeting at Pillayarpalayam, the actor-turned politician commenced his electoral campaign. In a bid to bring radical change in Tamil Nadu, Vijayakanth urged people to cast votes to his party men in the coming Lok Sabha election.
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Vijayakanth accused the DMK, AIADMK and Congress of betraying Tamils for over four decades. Citing the killing of the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka, he declared that while the Lankan armed forces are mercilessly killing their Tamil brothers in the island nation, the Congress led UPA government at the Centre remains reluctant. He also stated that Tamil fishermen are being killed in mid-sea by the armed forces of the neighbouring country.
He also said that the Tamil youth working in the UAE or Malaysia do not get proper security and face humiliation. He also accused the ruling DMK and chief minister M Karunanidhi for not solving major issues like unemployment, agriculture and the Mullaperiyar, Cauvery and Palar issues.
DMDK was formed on September 14, 2005 at Madurai. The headquarters of the party is located at Koyambedu, Chennai.
Source: www.merinews.com
Vijayakanth also started the election campaign of his party earlier than any other party in Tamil Nadu.
In a meeting at Pillayarpalayam, the actor-turned politician commenced his electoral campaign. In a bid to bring radical change in Tamil Nadu, Vijayakanth urged people to cast votes to his party men in the coming Lok Sabha election.
Other Articles by Shree Vijaya
Pakistan: Justice Chaudhry reinstated
Woman hurls slipper at SC judge
World economy will shrink in 2009: IMF
RIL to sell fuel to US
Aircel launches operation in Delhi
more >>
Vijayakanth accused the DMK, AIADMK and Congress of betraying Tamils for over four decades. Citing the killing of the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka, he declared that while the Lankan armed forces are mercilessly killing their Tamil brothers in the island nation, the Congress led UPA government at the Centre remains reluctant. He also stated that Tamil fishermen are being killed in mid-sea by the armed forces of the neighbouring country.
He also said that the Tamil youth working in the UAE or Malaysia do not get proper security and face humiliation. He also accused the ruling DMK and chief minister M Karunanidhi for not solving major issues like unemployment, agriculture and the Mullaperiyar, Cauvery and Palar issues.
DMDK was formed on September 14, 2005 at Madurai. The headquarters of the party is located at Koyambedu, Chennai.
Source: www.merinews.com
Monday, February 23, 2009
DMDK leader’s appeal to cadre
CHENNAI: DMDK leader Vijayakant has asked party members to visit Sri Lankan refugee camps on February 12, and provide them with all necessities. In a press release, he said February 12 should be celebrated as flag day by all party members and asked them to provide free rice to refugees as part of the celebrations.
Source: hinduonnet.com
Source: hinduonnet.com
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
TN bypolls: EC probes unprecedented voter turnout
Chennai: Did every voter go out to vote in the bypolls at the Tirumangalam constituency or did the politicians rig the elections, resulting in a virtually unheard of turnout figure of 89 per cent.
It is a turnout figure that is so high that it is even left the Election Commission worried over what really happened in Tirumangalam, Tamil Nadu.
“It could be because of the quality of rolls being better. But there's another dimension and it's being alleged that the polling percentage shot up in the last one hour of polling and that needs some investigations. As far as we are concerned we are probing into the role of officials and the lapses,” Chief Electoral Officer of Tamil Nadu Naresh Gupta said.
During the campaign, both the DMK and AIADMK alleged that voters were being lured with money.
Jayalalithaa's party AIADMK recently released a video which the party claims is proof that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's son MK Stalin was distributing money to voters. AIADMK also alleged that the turnout figure proves that there was large scale rigging by the ruling DMK.
However, Propaganda Secretary of AIADMK Dr M Thambidurai said, “How is it possible that there was 30 per cent polling in one hour? This is absolutely rigged and the Election Commission has been misused by the DMK for their own purposes."
The DMK, which won by a margin of close to 40,000 votes says the turnout is a sign of its government's success.
The Election Commission which had ordered a severe crackdown during the campaign is now seriously looking into the role of the officials in charge of several polling booths.
Whatever the end result the Tirumangalam bypoll will perhaps go down as one of the most controversial by-elections in recent times.
Source: ibnlive.in.com/news
It is a turnout figure that is so high that it is even left the Election Commission worried over what really happened in Tirumangalam, Tamil Nadu.
“It could be because of the quality of rolls being better. But there's another dimension and it's being alleged that the polling percentage shot up in the last one hour of polling and that needs some investigations. As far as we are concerned we are probing into the role of officials and the lapses,” Chief Electoral Officer of Tamil Nadu Naresh Gupta said.
During the campaign, both the DMK and AIADMK alleged that voters were being lured with money.
Jayalalithaa's party AIADMK recently released a video which the party claims is proof that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's son MK Stalin was distributing money to voters. AIADMK also alleged that the turnout figure proves that there was large scale rigging by the ruling DMK.
However, Propaganda Secretary of AIADMK Dr M Thambidurai said, “How is it possible that there was 30 per cent polling in one hour? This is absolutely rigged and the Election Commission has been misused by the DMK for their own purposes."
The DMK, which won by a margin of close to 40,000 votes says the turnout is a sign of its government's success.
The Election Commission which had ordered a severe crackdown during the campaign is now seriously looking into the role of the officials in charge of several polling booths.
Whatever the end result the Tirumangalam bypoll will perhaps go down as one of the most controversial by-elections in recent times.
Source: ibnlive.in.com/news
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