All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary Jayalalithaa on Thursday asserted that the party will bounce back and asked the cadre not to lose heart in the wake of the by-poll defeat in Pennagaram Assembly constituency.
The party had earlier returned to the path of victory after facing setbacks in by-elections such as this one, she told newspersons after calling on Thangavel, a party worker, who attempted self-immolation after the party's defeat in Pennagaram, at a private hospital here on Thursday. Mr. Thangavel (55), a resident of Kaniravuthar Kulam, near here, poured petrol and set himself ablaze on hearing the news about the AIADMK's defeat in the by-election.
Handing over a cheque for Rs.1 lakh to his family, Ms. Jayalalithaa said the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam had also lost the poll in 2001 in the same constituency and its candidate forfeited the deposit.
The AIADMK had also suffered by-poll defeats in Killiyur and Hosur, even during the period of party founder M.G. Ramachandran. But, later, the great leader had led the party to the path of success with the support of the cadre.
Saying she was pained by the self-immolation attempt, Ms. Jayalalithaa asked AIADMK workers not to lose heart and continue to work hard for the party's growth.
She said the party would bear all the expenses for the treatment of Mr. Thangavel.
