The intense campaign of political parties for the Assembly elections, slated for Wednesday, came to a close at 5 p.m. on Monday.
The notification for the polls was issued on March 19. After the withdrawal of nominations by candidates, 2,773 candidates were left in the fray in 234 constituencies.
Both Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president and Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Jayalalithaa concluded their campaign by exuding confidence that the people would repose faith in them.
The DMK president launched his State-wide tour from Tiruvarur, his native place, on March 23 and concluded it at the same place, while AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa started her campaign in Srirangam on March 24 and ended her campaign in the Mylapore constituency of Chennai district.
Mr.Karunanidhi, who went to numerous villages in his constituency in the last two days over a distance of about 200 km, addressed a public meeting to wrap up his campaign.
He later told reporters, “We have done a lot for people. They will support us, I hope.” His son and Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin concluded his campaign in his constituency, Kolathur.
In Chennai, Ms. Jayalalithaa, who covered the length and breadth of the city in the last two days, said the elections had given an opportunity to the people for the removal of “the family rule of Mr. Karunanidhi”.
DMDK worker dies
Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam founder-president Vijayakant, who is contesting from Rishivandiyam in Cuddalore district, was in the constituency on Monday to wrap up his campaign.
Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S. Ramadoss ended his campaign by canvassing votes for the DMK-led front in Tindivanam.
On the last day of campaign, a DMDK worker died of a head injury in the early hours of Monday after a scuffle with a DMK worker over poll graffiti late on Sunday in Pennagaram of Dharmapuri district.
In Dindigul town of the south, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) organised a public meeting in support of its nominee K. Balabharathi.
In Kanyakumari, the Bharatiya Janata Party held a meeting, seeking support for its leader Pon Radhakrishnan, who is contesting from Nagercoil. In the last one week, the Congress had brought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi to the State for its campaign.
