Notwithstanding the decision of major political parties not to contest the by-election to the Pudukottai Assembly constituency on June 12, and the delay in announcement of candidate by the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) candidate Karthik V. R. Thondaiman is continuing his rigorous campaigning.
The Election Commission announced the by-election schedule on April 24. The AIADMK announced Mr. Thondaiman, belonging to the Pudukottai royal family, as its candidate the same day.
The AIADMK leadership soon announced a 52-member election campaign committee, comprising a host of Ministers and senior leaders, to spearhead the campaigning. Senior ministers, including O. Pannerselvam, K. A. Sengottaiyan and Natham R. Viswanathan, addressed a party workers meeting in the town within a couple of days of the formation of the committee to discuss poll strategy. And Mr. Thondaiman commenced his campaign with fanfare.
Since then, Mr. Thondaiman has been visiting various parts of the constituency, mobilising support. Even the decision of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Communist Party of India, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and other parties not to contest, did not deter him. He has been campaigning for the past 20 days.
“There is good response to the campaign and people recall the achievements of a year of AIADMK rule. This will enable the party to score a resounding win, even if the Opposition nominates a common candidate,” say AIADMK supporters.
