The Hindu : Front Page : Campaigning gains momentum in State

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 20, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Front Page

Front Page

Campaigning gains momentum in State

Tamil Nadu Bureau

Karunanidhi canvasses for Maran
Jayalalithaa covers Tuticorin, Tenkasi

CHENNAI: With just three weeks left for Tamil Nadu to go to the polls, leaders of all major political parties were in the thick of campaigning across the State this weekend.

In Chennai, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi launched the campaign of his grand-nephew and the Central Chennai candidate Dayanidhi Maran at Chintadripet.

Recalling the days of the 1950s when there were no proper roads in Chennai, the Chief Minister spoke of how the councillors of the DMK and the Congress worked for the welfare of the people in the city.

He asked the voters of the Chepauk constituency to return Mr. Maran to the Lok Sabha, so that he could implement schemes not just for the welfare of the Chennai, but for the entire State.

On day two of her campaign, AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa covered two southern regions – Tuticorin and Tenkasi.

She appealed to the voters to overthrow the DMK which had sacrificed the interests of Tamils and Tamil Nadu on many issues – whether it is the Sri Lankan situation or river water disputes with neighbouring States – just for the well-being of his family members.

At Sankarankovil, she strongly opposed the Sethusamudram ship channel project, saying that it would severely affect the livelihood of fishermen and threaten the marine ecosystem.

In Chennai, however, her ally, MDMK general secretary Vaiko called for the widening of the canal in order to allow bigger ships to pass through.

He sought to play down the fact that the two parties are starkly opposed on this issue, saying that alliance partners agreed to disagree on certain issues.

He dismissed the Chief Minister’s statement on snapping of ties with Sri Lanka unless the war stopped as a mere vote-garnering exercise, pointing out that he had made the same demand a month ago.

PMK founder S. Ramadoss also slammed the Chief Minister on the Sri Lankan issue, saying that he should have withdrawn support to the Union government last October.

Campaigning in support of AIADMK nominee and former Union Minister M. Thambidurai in Karur, Dr. Ramadoss said parties from Tamil Nadu would have a greater say in the formation of a new government at the Centre.

Three months later, fresh Assembly elections would be held in the State, Dr. Ramadoss declared, basing his statements on the “people’s power” that had rallied behind Ms. Jayalalithaa.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

News Update

Stories in this Section

EC rejects 2-1 plea to disqualify Sonia

PM to cast vote in Assam

Manmohan rejects Lalu’s charge

Sri Lankan troops seek to open new road access

Let voters decide who is strong leader, says Sonia