The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam on Wednesday began electioneering for Madurai Lok Sabha constituency seeking votes for the State Government’s welfare schemes and to punish the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam which acted against the interests of Tamil Nadu despite being a part of the Union Government.
The campaign began from Tharapatti near Melakkal where the party candidate, R. Gopalakrishnan, accompanied by the AIADMK leaders, were received by over 20 women carrying ‘poorna kumbham.’
After a puja at a local temple, Minister K. Raju sought votes for “Two leaves” symbol listing out the welfare schemes introduced by the AIADMK Government like gold for ‘thali,’ laptop for students, 20 kg free rice through ration shops, free goat and cow schemes among others, for the economic and social development of the poor.
“The Government was able to give all the benefits to the people of Tamil Nadu with its own resources. The Centre was giving the State only 30 per cent amount of the taxes which goes from Tamil Nadu,” he said.
The AIADMK was giving free mixer grinder, grinder and fan to the people.
But, the DMK Government gave television set worth Rs. 2,990 to each household and took away Rs. 150 a month towards cable television charges which went to the family of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, he also said.
Sitting MP from Madurai M.K. Alagiri did not raise the issue of Periyar Dam in the Parliament.
Besides, he neither prevented the cut in subsidy for fertilizers when he was the Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers.
During the campaign in the villages of K. Pudur, Kodimangalam, Pudukulam and Achampathu, the candidate was received with ‘aarati’ and “two leaves” kolam on the streets.
The candidate sought the blessings of the elderly by touching their feet. School students were seen carrying the party flags.
Madurai Mayor V.V. Rajan Chellappa, and rural district secretary M. Muthuramalingam, accompanied the candidate.
