Hitting the campaign trail on Monday, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa said the R.K. Nagar by-poll was imposed on the people because of political conspiracy against her.
“When there is only a year a left for the Assembly elections, the by-election has been necessitated due to political conspiracy. I was not able to continue as the Chief Minister because of the [disproportionate assets] case. Now that the by-election has been announced, I have entered the fray as a candidate,” she said during her two-stop campaign in the constituency on Monday night.
Though winning the election and defeating rivals were different issues, her objective was to secure a mammoth victory. “As I have occupied a place in the minds of the people, the opposition parties are afraid of contesting against me and they have come out with lame excuses,” Ms. Jayalalithaa said.
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Even though the CPI has fielded its candidate and was campaigning against her, Ms. Jayalalithaa said the MLAs of the party had often praised her government’s achievements on the floor of the Assembly.
While CPI floor leader M. Arumugam described Amma canteens as a gift to the people, another member S. Gunasekaran had praised her for ensuring schooling and higher education for the poor children without any difficulty, she said. “I can cite many such examples. Since they are against me in the battle, they are levelling allegations against me and my government now.”
The Chief Minister said she was not interested in seeking votes by highlighting the mistakes of others but only in projecting the four-year achievements of her government.
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Detailing the nature and extent of development works undertaken in the R.K. Nagar constituency and the amount disbursed under various welfare schemes, she said the by-election was a prelude to the Assembly elections (due next year).
“You should ensure that your votes are not wasted. I am here because of people and I will always stand by them. You mean everything to me. I will fulfil your aspirations,” she said.
Several thousands of cadre had lined up on both sides of the road as she traversed through the constituency with her confidante Sasikala.
I am not interested in seeking votes by highlighting mistakes of others but only
in projecting achievements of
the government.
Jayalalithaa
Chief Minister