CHENNAI: The ruling AIADMK has cancelled its annual Christmas Day celebrations this year with Chief Minister and party general secretary Jayalalithaa appealing to party cadres to focus more on relief and rehabilitation work in rain-ravaged areas.
Noting that the government under her leadership has takenup relief measures on a "war-footing", Jayalalithaa said whatever people require would be supplied so that they can return back to normal life.
"The relief and rehabilitation work is huge. Everyone has the duty and responsibility to take part in relief and rehabilitation work," she said in a party statement.
Observing that several Christian institutions were planning to keep Christmas day celebrations "simple" focusing on relief work, she said, "I warmly welcome it".
"In order to help flood hit people, the annual Christmas day celebrations conducted by AIADMK is cancelled this year.Let the birth of Jesus Christ be celebrated as a festival of sacrifice and selfless service to society this year," she said.
Several areas were inundated due to torrential rains in the first week of December.
The state government recently said 347 persons have lost their lives in rain related incidents since October.