Jaya dwells on local issues in city campaign

Chennai, May 3 (UNI) AIADMK supremo and Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa returned here this evening after a 33-day whirlwind campaign across the state and kicked off her final leg of electioneering, dwelling on local issues such as continuing drinking water scarcity in Chennai.

Addressing the people at Saidapet where she began the campaign on March 31, she recalled the severe drinking water scarcity in the city during 2003-04, when water had to be brought in rail wagons and lorries from distant places. She said she had successfully implemented the New Veeranam Project to alleviate the problem, despite criticism. 'As much as 180 MLD of water is being supplied to the city. Not only thirsty mouths are being quenched now, even those which criticised the project are getting water,' she said.

The AIADMK supremo charged Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram with 'uttering lies' that the Centre had allocated Rs 1,000 crore for setting up a desalination plant in Chennai.

Stating that she envisaged a 100 MLD desalination plant, the first such in the country, to find a lasting solution to the crisis, she alleged that the Union Environment Minister belonging to the DMK betrayed the people by withholding approval to the project.

She asserted that the desalination plant would be set up in Chennai by overcoming hurdles if the party was voted back to power.

Resolving to end the 'monopoly of DMK President M Karunanidhi's family' in the cable TV business, Ms Jayalalithaa said her government would enact legislation to ensure cable TV connection at lowest rate.

She would continue electioneering in the city and neighbouring districts of Thiruvallur and Kancheepuram in the next three days.

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