The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Madurai News : Surveys predict victory for AIADMK: Jayalalithaa

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Monday, Jan 05, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Madurai

Surveys predict victory for AIADMK: Jayalalithaa

S. Sundar

Alleges conspiracy to replace EVMs with programmed ones

— Photo: S. James

SOLICITING VOTES: AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa campaigning in Thirumangalam constituency in Madurai on Sunday.

MADURAI: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government has given up the State’s rights on important issues such as Palar, Periyar and Hogenakkal water projects and also on Katchatheevu, AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa alleged here on Sunday.

She called upon the people of Thirumangalam to teach a fitting lesson to the DMK, which was trying to bury democratic principles.

Ms. Jayalalithaa said that all election surveys had predicted a victory for the AIADMK giving jitters to DMK president M. Karunanidhi.

Taking a dig at M.K. Azhagiri, she said his appointment to head the election work of the DMK was made with an intention of not allowing voters to exercise their franchise and of indulging in irregularities.

Plot alleged

She alleged that the DMK had hatched a conspiracy to replace the electronic voting machines in Thirumangalam Assembly constituency with the ones programmed in favour of the ruling party.

Beginning her second day of campaign in support of AIADMK candidate M. Muthuramalingam from Puliankulam in the constituency, she said that the AIADMK would lodge a complaint in this regard with the Election Commission and urge it to take note of the serial numbers of all machines to be used in the by-election.

Thanks allies

Earlier, convening a meeting of leaders of alliance parties, Ms. Jayalalithaa thanked them for their support. Exuding confidence that the party would emerge victorious in the January 9 bypoll, she asked them to get ready for the celebration.

In an interview to a private television channel, Ms. Jayalalithaa said the party had been making many complaints to the ECI with regard to bribing of voters by the ruling party.

Though the DMK leaders had been denying it, violation of election norms was not new for them.

She also said that her party had evidence of distribution of money and dhotis by DMK cadres in the presence of Minister M. K. Stalin and a Central Minister.

“We will lodge a complaint with ECI., ” she said.

To a question on Chief Electoral Officer Naresh Gupta, she said, “Even the ECI knows he is honest. There is no doubt about his honesty.”

She addressed gatherings at various places including Chekkanoorani, Karadikal, Keela Urapanoor and Mela Urapanoor.

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