Just six days left for the by-election to Yercaud (ST) Assembly constituency, and the campaign there is heating up with the scheduled visit of Chief Minister and AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalithaa on November 28 to canvass for her party candidate P Saroja.
The AIADMK supremo is arriving at Udayapatti Holy Cross School Grounds by helicopter at around 11.30 am, and from there she moves into the constituency in her election campaign vehicle. She commences her campaign at Minnampalli and moves to every nook and corner of the constituency to meet the people.
In all, she speaks at nine places, including Vellalagundam Junction, Vazhapadi bus stand, Pelur-Karumanthurai Road near MGR statue, Neermullikuttai, Kottathupatti, Valasaiyur and Ayothyapattinam.
She concludes her campaign at Udayarpatti. Polling in Yercaud constituency will take place on December 4 and counting will take place on December 8.
Salem District Collector Makarabhooshanam told mediapersons that 63 teams of officials, including 13 flying squads, are on duty to check any violation of rules till the by-election is over.
There are 2,40,290 voters in the constituency and 290 polling booths have been set up. Web cameras will be installed in all the booths and 1,402 polling officials will be engaged for this by-election. Already, two rounds of training have been given to them.
The Collector further said police security has been beefed up in 25 villages been identified as critical and the deployment of more police forces has been sought from the government.
CPI State secretary D Pandian campaigned for AIADMK candidate Saroja. Actors Ananthraj, Ramarajan and Vaiyapuri and others too canvassed votes for Saroja.
DMK leader Kanimozhi visited various parts of the constituency for the past two days seeking support for party candidate V Maran. VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan also campaigned for Maran.
DMK treasurer MK Stalin is undertaking a four-day campaign in Yercaud constituency.