TN elections: High-voltage campaigning as poll day nears, PM to address rally tomorrow
10 May, Chennai
High-voltage campaigning in Tamil Nadu is going on with just four days left for its conclusion ahead of the May 16 Assembly General Election. Leaders of various political parties are giving finishing touches to their final leg of canvassing.
AIADMK supremo and Chief Minister Jayalaithaa campaigned for party candidates in Arakkonam Tuesday.
DMDK leader Vijayakanth campaigned for DMDK-People welfare Front in Ulundurpettai today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing poll campaign rally in Vedaranyam Nagapptinam district of Tamil Nadu tomorrow. He will be campaigning for 18 BJP candidates from Thanjavur, Tiruvarur Nagapattinam. Prime Minister is expected to address the problems faced by fishermen from Tamil Nadu.
In the earlier campaign rallies held in Chennai Hosur and Kannya Kumari, the Prime Minister mentioned about the steps taken by central government to secure the release of Tamil fishermen lodged in Lankan jail. He also said about how five fishermen from the state who were sentenced to death in Sri Lanka were released and brought back to India through the efforts of central government. The fishermen problem is going to be the major election issue in the coastal hamlets of TamilNadu including Vedaranyam, Nagai, Ramanathapuram and Thoothukudi. There are lot of expectations in the coastal area because of the Prime Minister’s visit.
The AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa in her Arakkonam campaign this evening said Tamil Nadu tops the list of states where enrollment for higher education is higher. Facing flak from the opposition for lacklustre growth in industry, she promised a venture capital fund, a collateral guarantee fund and subsidies for first generation entrepreneurs. The DMK treasurer MK Stalin during his Tiruvannamalai campaign promised exclusive budget for agriculture.
The BJP National General Secretary Muralidhar Rao in Chennai expressed hope that a longstanding solution will be found for the issue of fishermen’s arrest by Srilanka on charges of poaching. The MDMK leader Vaiko in Madurai said revenue loss due to liquor prohibition could be compensated by nationalizing sand, granite and garnet resources.
Meanwhile, the unaccounted money seized by election officials so far has reached Rs 88.54 crore. To check possible distribution of money, the number of flying squads is to be augmented in all constituencies, more so in the 94 Assembly seats that are identified as more prone to money flow. They are mostly the constituencies where prominent leaders are contesting.
About one crore voters took oath today across the state denouncing offer of money for voting as a first of its kind move by the Election Commission of India in its efforts to ensure ethical voting. Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi today reviewed the final phase of poll arrangements with the state Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Income Tax Commissioners and district election officers of 16 districts. The CEC will interact with 16 more district officials tomorrow.