AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalithaa on Thursday stressed the need for the party to win all the 40 seats in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections stating that “if Tamil Nadu has to survive, prosper and progress, we will have to win all 40 seats. Only then we will be able to lead the country after the Lok Sabha elections.”
However, the AIADMK general council adopted a resolution, which said: “Contesting the Lok Sabha elections on our own to win all 40 seats is our objective. However, the general council accords full powers to the general secretary for taking all decisions regarding the elections including forging alliances.”
Referring to this, Jayalalithaa said: “I thank you for the powers accorded on me. You know well that I will always do the best for the AIADMK.” She did not elaborate on the alliance issue and devoted most of her speech in reiterating the need for winning all 40 seats. Later, answering the queries of mediapersons on the alliance issue, Jayalalithaa said, “Already a resolution has been passed in the GC meeting giving me powers to take decisions. I will take whatever decision that is good for the party.”
Earlier, speaking at the general council meeting of the party at Vanagaram near here, the AIADMK chief said: “When the general council of the party meets here after the Lok Sabha elections, the AIADMK should be the guiding force of the country.”
Calling the AIADMK the ‘Fort St George Express’, Jayalalithaa said: “It has already reached the Fort St George six times - three times during the MGR regime and three more times under my leadership.”
“Soon, the AIADMK will become the Red Fort Express and reach the goal of Red Fort successfully. Nobody can stop this happening. The people of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are ready to show the green light to the AIADMK and I am here as the engine driver to steer the party to victory,” Jayalalithaa said amid thunderous applause from the cadre.
“Peace, Prosperity and Progress would be AIADMK’s theme and promise for Lok Sabha elections,” Jayalalithaa said and added: “Only when there is peace, the nation can prosper. And only with prosperity, the nation can progress. The future of Tamil Nadu and the future of India lies in your hands.”
Jayalalithaa exhorted the cadre to work for the Lok Sabha elections with the same devotion shown in Yercaud.
Targeting the UPA government, Jayalalithaa said the Central Government had betrayed Tamil Nadu on many issues.
“What we should understand from these betrayals? If only Tamil Nadu has to survive, if only Tamil Nadu has to prosper, if only Tamil Nadu has to enjoy our due rights, the government at the Centre has to be thrown out.”