RK Nagar bypoll: CM Palaniswami, O Panneerselvam hit campaign trail, reach out to poor with promise of houses

CHENNAI: Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Thursday launched the AIADMK’s campaign for the by-election in RK Nagar Assembly constituency by seeking votes for the Two Leaves symbol restored by the Election Commission a fortnight ago.

While Palaniswami appealed to voters to elect E Madhusudhanan to continue the welfare schemes launched by late chief minister J Jayalalithaa, who represented the constituency till her demise, Panneerselvam promised the people that quality houses would be provided for the downtrodden families in the constituency as already announced.

“Only after the election of Jayalalithaa from this constituency, many a welfare scheme for RK Nagar constituency was implemented. Opposition parties are now promising to do so much for the people of this constituency if they win this by-election. Already, the people of this constituency had given many opportunities to them in the past, but they did nothing,” Palaniswami said.

“Now, DMK working president MK Stalin says if DMK candidate is elected in this by-election, they would make this constituency prosper. How can they? When Stalin was Chennai Mayor for a full five year term, he did nothing for this constituency. Even when he was a Local administration minister and later Deputy Chief Minister, Stalin failed to do anything useful. But once Jayalalithaa was elected from this constituency, many new schemes were implemented. To continue the welfare measures launched by her, the people should vote for Madhusudhanan, who knows the nook and corner of the constituency and always moves with the people,” the Chief Minister said.

Panneerselvam recalled Madhusudhanan’s services to this constituency for a long time. As already promised, quality houses would be constructed for the downtrodden people in the constituency and the survey for this work had already been over.

Madhusudhanan recalled how he had worked for the people of the constituency when he was a minister between 1991 and 1996 and said only the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister could implement schemes for the constituency and not everyone who makes empty promises.

Earlier, the Chief Minister and his deputy opened the election office at SN Chetty Road. They offered prayers at the Perumal temple at Harinarayanapuram in 47th division at Tondiarpet. Both leaders along with other functionaries moved around in an open jeep and campaigned for the party candidate.