For the first time in the history of the Lok Sabha elections, AIADMK has had a representative in the Chennai North constituency, which was predominantly a DMK bastion.
The winning candidate, T.G. Venkatesh Babu, a real estate businessman, attributes his victory to the schemes implemented by AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalithaa.
G.D. Thirumalavasan, a party member who took care of the social media aspect of Mr. Babu’s campaign, said the main advantage was the jump start on the campaign.
“Right from the first day of official campaigning (Mr. Babu was nominated as district secretary of north Chennai north unit in 2013) of March 3, Mr. Babu canvassed for votes for a minimum of 12 hours — six hours in the mornings and six hours in the evenings — covering almost 60 to 70 kilometres per day,” Mr. Thirumalavasan said.
If there is one section of north Chennai that is overjoyed at the result, it is the fishermen. M. Ashokan, a fisherman in Royapuram, said the reason he had voted for the AIADMK was the welfare schemes announced by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, particularly the doubling of the grant during the 45-day fishing ban period to Rs. 4,000.
“The Congress-led Central government has done nothing for us and issues concerning us. No attention was paid to developing north Chennai. But the AIADMK government has always taken measures to highlight the State’s rights, be it the Cauvery issue or Katchatheevu,” said K. Bharathi, president, South Indian Fishermen Welfare Association.
They now look forward to measures that would protect their livelihood, and to the development of the Kasimedu fishing harbour and a permanent solution to sea erosion and pollution, he added.
Raj, an AIADMK party member at Manali, said, “They have voted against corruption and family politics. They have shown thumbs up for AIADMK’s welfare schemes such as laptops and financial assistance for students and Amma canteens.”
Party members had worked hard to campaign for the candidates and gone the extra mile to explain the government’s schemes to the voters, covering every nook and cranny of the constituency, he added.
