Vijayakanth launches LS poll campaign, targets AIADMK

Gummidipoondi (TN), Mar 14: Launching a frontal attack on the ruling AIADMK on various issues, including acute electricity shortage, DMDK chief Vijayakanth today exhorted the electorate to "teach a lesson" to the ruling party in the Lok Sabha elections.

Kickstarting his election campaign here from Thiruvallur Lok Sabha constituency, he asked the people if freebies like fans were of any use to them when there was "no electricity."

Alleging that the ruling party was "indulging in corruption," the DMDK chief said people were responsible for the regrettable state of affairs as it was they who had voted and elected their representatives. "Don't think that I am finding fault with you [people]. Graft has to be ended, if you do not pave the way for them, how it can happen?" he asked.

Targetting AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa over a disproportionate assets case in a Bangalore court, he alleged that the case was being "dragged" and "flimsy" reasons like "ailment" was cited for seeking adjournments.

Mocking AIADMK's poll slogan "peace prosperity and progress," he sought to know if peace was prevailing in the State and said things like growth were being witnessed by only those in the ruling party.

Stating that Jayalalithaa was unlikely to realise her ambition of playing a larger role at the national level, the DMDK chief said he was ready to face "even jail" for targetting the ruling party. Rise in the price of essential commodities like edible oil were among the other issues taken up by the DMDK leader in his poll campaign.

Interestingly, the DMDK leader did not refer to BJP or seek votes to enable Narendra Modi to become Prime Minister. However, BJP flags were seen along the campaign route. DMDK, which has decided to forge an alliance with BJP, has been in talks with it over seat sharing.

PTI