Theni
“If senior leader E.V.K.S. Elangovan gets some sorts of satisfaction in abusing me, I have no issues and am immensely satisfied,” said O.P. Raveendranath Kumar, the AIADMK candidate for Theni Parliamentary constituency, here on Sunday.
After visiting the polling stations in Andipatti Assembly constituency, where re-poll was under way, he told reporters that based on the instructions of the Election Commission of India, the re-polling was held in two booths, one each in Andipatti and Periyakulam Assembly constituencies.
“Hence, I have nothing much to say on this, though, the Opposition parties, raised their voices,” he noted.
When asked about the reasons why the Congress candidate Mr. Elangovan was targeting him, Mr. Raveendranath Kumar said, “Mr. Elangovan is a seasoned politician. He is a veteran in politics. He has witnessed very many elections. If he gets some satisfaction in shouting or making fun of me, I have no objection, let him continue with his remarks,” he summed up.
Responding to another query, the AIADMK candidate said that he was totally unaware of the plaque in which he was designated as “Theni Lok Sabha MP...” and the moment he was informed of it, he took it up with the police and action was taken.
A private temple, which conducted kumbabishekam, had a plaque with Mr. Raveendranath Kumar as Lok Sabha MP. A former police constable was arrested in this connection on Saturday.
On the poll prospects, he said that the people have voted for the achievements of the AIADMK and the confidence in BJP leadership. Hence, the AIADMK and its allies would sweep in Tamil Nadu and Narendra Modi would again become the Prime Minister, he added.
Even if the Election Commission conducted repoll again and again, it may not be possible for Mr. Raveendranath Kumar to get even his deposit, said Mr. Elangovan.
Speaking to reporters, he said that with the blessings of the BJP, the EC conducted repoll here in Andipatti and Periyakulam Assembly constituencies with the intention of making some gains for OPS’s son. This is not going to happen, he charged.
When none of the political parties sought repoll, what was the necessity for the ECI to conduct the repoll in two stations, he wondered.
“What prompted the ECI to conduct repoll, when the actual polling went smoothly last month (April 18). Who asked for this,” he questioned and charged the EC of acting at the behest of the BJP.
The Congress is sure to win at the Centre, and in Tamil Nadu too, the ruling party’s atrocities would come to an end on May 23, Mr. Elangovan predicted.
The Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam State propaganda secretary Thanga Tamilselvan apprehended that the ruling AIADMK may indulge in violence on May 23 near the counting centre in Theni. Hence, he appealed for more deployment of central forces.
Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, he said the AIADMK, which relied only on money power, is set to lose in Tamil Nadu. A new era would begin from May 23. Unable to stomach this fact, the AIADMK was indulging in last-ditch efforts to somehow win the elections. This is very unlikely as people are fed up with the EPS and OPS company, he alleged.
Charging that the repoll was unnecessary at Andipatti and Periyakulam Assembly constituencies, he said that when the polling ended on a peaceful note, it was not required at all to conduct the repoll.
“To cover up some malpractice, the officials acted on the diktats of the AIADMK here...It was for the media to unravel the mystery behind the repoll,” he added.
The AMMK leader said that he had information that the AIADMK was determined to create ruckus by organising a massive assembly in front of the counting centre and create disturbance to law and order. The official machinery should ensure the counting would go on smoothly.
