Setting at rest speculation about her stand on the bifurcation of Perambalur district, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party general secretary Jayalalithaa made it clear on Sunday that Ariyalur district would be retained as a separate district if her party was voted to power.
“Ariyalur will be retained as a separate district and all necessary infrastructure will be created for its effective functioning,” she declared speaking at an election rally in Perambalur.
The AIADMK government, during its term between 2001 and 2006, had reversed the previous DMK regime's decision to bifurcate the Perambalur district into Perambalur and Ariyalur districts. The merger, ordered by Ms. Jayalalithaa had turned out to be a controversial move then.
The DMK on coming back to power in 2006 had stood by its earlier decision to create new Ariyalur district.
“I am aware of the local issues and problems in Ariyalur, Jayamkondam and Kunnam areas,” she said and assured voters that permanent solutions would be found for them.
Ms. Jayalalithaa promised to revive and implement the proposal on building a reservoir, for which “the foundation stone was laid” during her earlier rule.
With Perambalur region being a major onion growing belt, she told farmers that an onion processing centre would be established here.
On Sunday, Ms. Jayalalithaa, apparently hard pressed for time, switched over to travel by helicopter to cover more places. She hopped from Tiruchi to Karur in the afternoon, to Musiri in Tiruchi district, and to Perambalur.
She addressed a meeting right at the helipad on a ground near Palakkarai in Perambalur, the former Union Minister A. Raja's native district.
However, apart from the references to the 2G scam in her usual address, she did not make any direct reference to Mr. Raja.
