Both DMK president Karunanidhi and his arch-rival and AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa are contesting from constituencies of nativity and bank on this factor to see them through the hustings.
Karunanidhi, well facing his last elections owing to age and health factors, is confident his “son-of-the-soil” tag will send him to the Assembly from Thirvarur for a 12th time while Jayalalithaa is seeking votes as a “sister” of the local voters in Srirangam. Her ancestors hail from the temple town.
The two leaders have hit the hot campaign trail with Jayalalithaa covering a significant distance by road and air everyday even as Karunanidhi is braving old-age in an effort to match up with his much younger rival.
Aiming her guns at DMK, Jayalalithaa has charged it with being involved in dynasty rule or family politics which was rebuffed by DMK Treasurer and Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin, saying his father Karunaindhi considers “all Tamils as his familyIn Tamil Nadu, Leaders of political parties are on the last leg of their campaign trail, strongly pitching for their alliance to be voted to power. In a battle of high stakes, the DMK led alliance and the AIADMK have carried out a relentless no holds barred campaign to capture power. Meanwhile, Election department officials are distributing voter-slips at all polling stations today. The Director General of Police Mr. Bhola Nath said, all 54,340 polling booths in the state would be protected by paramilitary forces and state police.
The Election Commission’s pro active measures to stop the use of money power, has been the talking point both in public domain and in electioneering. Defending the commission, the Madras high court said that the powers conferred on the Election Commission and its officials did not appear to be arbitrary or against the constitutional guarantees to citizens. With just a day to go campaigning is reaching a crescendo.
Kerala
Just one day left for active campaigning for the Assembly poll on Wednesday, campaigning by all major political parties reached a feverish pitch. Addressing a Congress led UDF election rally in Thiruvananthapuram, AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi said that the Congress party acknowledges corruption as a major issue and corrective steps have been taken whenever corrupt practices have been detected.
In all the 140 assembly constituencies of Kerala, both Congress led UDF and CPIM led LDF are engaged in last leg aggressive campaigning. BJP is also reaching out to each voter to ensure its victory. By 5 PM tomorrow active campaigning will come to an end in Kerala. Even political discussions in electronic media and poll related SMS will not be permitted. About 85,000 security personnel including central forces will be deployed to ensure smooth poll in 14 districts.
Puducherry
In Puducherry, campaigning for the April 13 Assembly elections has reached its peak. The leaders of different political parties are making last ditch efforts to woo the voters.
According to AIR Politics in the Union Territory of Puducherry has little co-relation with Politics of neighbouring Tamil Nadu. Puduchery, enclaves of which are spread over in the states of Tamilnadu, Andrapradesh and Kerala is considered a traditional Congress strong hold. But here elections are not won only on the basis of the strength of the parties- as voters in these segments range between a mere 23,000 to 30,000, what maters is the individual strength of the candidate, his popularity and his ability to reach out every nook and corner of the constituency .
The Ruling Congress is aiming to return to power for a third consecutive term, a rare feat for the party in South during recent times. The stakes are high as it is facing the electorate immediately after a revolt within the party, orchestrated by two- time Chief Minister N. Rangasamy who is popular for distributing freebies and for his accessibility. Though many parties such as DMK, AIADMK, BJP are in the fray, the real battle is going to be between the Congress and N.R. Congress, floated by Rangasamy. The two parties will lock horns in 12 assembly segments in Puducherry and Karikal regions.
