'TN mandate vote for development, against corruption'

Chennai, May 16: Top national leaders, including Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, today (May 16) described the massive electoral mandate to Chief Minister Jayalalithaa as a vote for development and against corruption.

"There are only two camps in India. Those who are committed to development and those who are committed to votebank. Jayalalithaa is committed to development," Modi told reporters after attending the swearing-in ceremony of Jayalalithaa here.

A man known to have put his native state on the path of development, Modi exuded confidence that Tamil Nadu "will develop like anything."

TDP leader and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu described Jayalalithaa's victory as people's vote against corruption. "This will have its own impact in national politics," he added.

Actor and All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi chief Sarath Kumar, an ally of Jayalalithaa whose party had won two seats, said the change of guard will usher in ''democracy'' in the Tamil film industry, apparently referring to the ''domination'' of DMK's first family in the multi-crore tinsel town.

Besides Maran brothers' (Kalanidhi and Dayanidhi) Sun Pictures, DMK president and former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's grandsons, Udhayanidhi Stalin and Dayanithi Azhagiri are involved in film producing.

PTI