The Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) party’s urban district unit office in West Avani Moola Street in the city was abuzz with activity as party cadres celebrated the formal announcement and introduction of its party candidate for Madurai Lok Sabha (LS) constituency here on Sunday afternoon.
“We are happy with our leader Vijayakant’s choice. D. Sivamuthukumar is the right person to contest on the party ticket,” said J.P. Rajan, a party cadre.
“He was selected without any dispute within the party,” he added.
Speaking to The Hindu , Mr.Sivamuthukumar, said the constituency had been plagued with several issues. “The MPs from other parties, which were in power in the past, had done nothing for the constituency and the people. If the voters elect me in the April 24 elections, the first thing I promise to do is to take necessary steps to create job opportunities for thousands of jobless youths in the district.”
“I urge the voters to give my party and me a chance if they want to witness a change,” he said.
When asked about the joint campaign with their ally BJP, Mr.Sivamuthukumar said that the party would take a decision on it after Mr.Vijayakant’s visit to Madurai on March 20.
It may be recalled that Mr.Sivamuthukumar (45), a real estate businessman and contractor, had unsuccessfully contested the Madurai West Assembly by-election in 2007.
He came third by securing around 24,000 votes. About the BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, he said only Mr.Modi could change the fate of India.
On a query regarding the water crisis in Madurai, the DMDK candidate said the party would try to implement the scheme for linking rivers to resolve the problem of water scarcity if they came to power.
