With many prominent parties, including the DMK boycotting the by-poll in the R. K. Nagar constituency, the high spirited 60-year-old C. Mahendran, contesting on a CPI ticket against the Chief Minister, has been the only candidate capable of putting up a fight in this uneven contest.
“We have campaigned on local issues: the garbage dump in Kodungaiyur, the lack of schools, health and other issues specific to R.K. Nagar. We may or may not win, but we have started a debate about issues concerning the people. Those who are for a change are with us,” he said.
‘Widespread violations’
The Left has been complaining that the Election Commission has not done its job and alleged that there have been widespread violations.
“The ruling party seems to have hit upon a new formula. They have offered mobile recharge top-ups, distributed tokens, which can then be exchanged at petrol pumps and so on,” he alleged.
A few days ago, AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa campaigned at two places in R.K. Nagar from inside her air-conditioned vehicle and sought support.
Admitting that this by-poll was imposed on the people, she urged the voters to support the AIADMK based on her government’s achievements. Thanks to the presence of large number of cadres in the area, the shopkeepers in the area made brisk business.
‘Traffic’ Ramasamy is also one of the candidates in the fray.
800 paramilitary personnel
Nearly 800 paramilitary personnel, including 10 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), four companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), four companies of the Border Security Force (BSF) and two companies of Indo Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBPF), have taken over security in the R.K. Nagar constituency.
Nearly 450 personnel of the Chennai City Police will accompany the paramilitary teams to prevent any untoward incident on the polling day.
All 230 booths are equipped with CCTV cameras with booth supervisors monitoring the activities.
All Tasmac outlets and bars inside the Chennai revenue district will remain closed till Saturday midnight.
“We may or may not win, but we have started a debate about issues concerning the people”
