Vikravandi bypoll: Tamil Nadu CM Stalin tells voters to defeat NDA candidate as they ‘betrayed social justice’

The bypoll for the Vikravandi Assembly constituency is slated to be held on July 10; the DMK has fielded Anniyur Siva, while the NDA candidate, fielded by the PMK, is C. Anbumani

DMK candidate for byelection to Vikravandi assembly constituency Anniyur Siva filing his nomination in Vikravandi. File | Photo Credit: S.S. Kumar

DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and M. K. Stalin on Friday, July 5, 2024, told the voters in Vikravandi Assembly constituency that by defeating the BJP-led NDA candidate fielded by the PMK in the July 10 bypoll, they would teach a lesson to those who were betraying social justice.

The bypoll for the Vikravandi Assembly constituency was necessitated following the death of DMK MLA N. Pugazhenthi on April 6.

In a video message canvassing votes for the DMK’s NDIA alliance candidate Anniyur Siva, Mr. Stalin said the DMK government stood for social justice, “which everyone is aware of”.

சாதனைகளால் தமிழ்நாட்டை முன்னேற்றப் பாதையில் அழைத்துச் செல்லும் @arivalayam-த்தின் வேட்பாளராக விக்கிரவாண்டி தொகுதியில் போட்டியிடும் திரு. அன்னியூர் சிவா அவர்களுக்கு உதயசூரியன் சின்னத்தில் வாக்களித்து வெற்றிபெறச் செய்யுங்கள்!#VikravandiByElection #Vote4DMKpic.twitter.com/Oil1HPF5eH

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) July 5, 2024

Mr. Stalin said that in the three years of the ‘Dravidian model’ government, a number of welfare schemes have been implemented and families have directly benefited in one way or the other. “1.16 lakh women are getting ₹1,000 as monthly assistance under the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam and from this month, we will extend it to 1.48 lakh women,” Mr. Stalin said.

The CM also highlighted schemes like the zero cost bus travel scheme for women, the Naan Mudhalvan scheme, the Pudhumai Penn Scheme, and the soon to be launched Tamizh Pudhalvan scheme.

Mr. Stalin pointed out that late Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had created a separate Department for Most Backward Classes. The DMK government also provided 20% reservation to MBCs including Vanniyars and increased the reservation for Scheduled Castes, he said. The birth anniversary of B.R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Constitution, is observed as the Day of Equality, as per the T.N. government’s announcement, he added.

Mr. Stalin said he will soon open the two memorials (manimandapam) being constructed in Villupuram for former DMK Minister A. Govindasamy, who belonged to the Vanniyar community and for people who were killed in police firing during the struggle demanding exclusive reservation for the Vanniyars in the 1980s.

The PMK, as part of the NDA alliance, has given its ticket to C. Anbumani. The Naam Tamilar Katchi has fielded Abinaya. The AIADMK and DMDK have chosen to boycott the July 10 bypoll.