Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Saturday expressed confidence that the ruling DMK will record a resounding victory in the urban local bodies elections, particularly in all the Corporations in the State.
Addressing the media after casting his vote in Teynampet, Mr. Stalin accused the AIADMK of making baseless and false allegations against the DMK with regard to poll violations. “They [AIADMK] are doing it as they would need someone to blame for the loss they are going to face in the elections,” he said.
To a question on whether he perceived the results of this election as a report card on his government's performance over the past nine months, he answered in the affirmative. He expressed the hope that the people would give an even bigger victory to the DMK than in the Assembly election.
‘Velumani afraid of loss’
Referring to the protest staged by former Minister and AIADMK MLA S.P. Velumani in Coimbatore on Friday, alleging poll violations by the DMK, he said the former Minister was known for bullying and wrongdoing during the previous regime.
"We have brought all that under control. They [the AIADMK] are afraid of losing the election. That is why they are making these baseless allegations. There is no need to use the Army [Central security forces], as demanded by him [Mr. Velumani]," he said.
Appeal to vote
The CM appealed to the public to exercise their right to vote.
Recalling Mahatma Gandhi's statement that every local body is a small republic, the Chief Minister said it was through the local bodies that the schemes of the government were implemented. Hence, it was important for everyone to vote in the local bodies elections, he added.
