AIADMK Leader Palaniswami Confident of Victory, Pledges to Restore Frozen Schemes
In a significant political development ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has launched a scathing attack on the ruling DMK government. Speaking to reporters after filing his nomination from the Edappadi constituency in Salem district on Monday, Palaniswami accused the DMK administration of deliberately freezing various development schemes and projects that were initiated during the previous AIADMK regime.
Revival of Schemes and Electoral Confidence
Palaniswami, who is contesting from the Edappadi seat for the eighth time, made a firm commitment that if the AIADMK-led alliance returns to power following the April 23 assembly election, all these frozen schemes will be promptly revived and implemented. He expressed unwavering confidence in the electoral prospects of his party, predicting that the AIADMK alliance would secure a commanding majority by winning 210 out of the total 234 seats in the state legislative assembly.
"The DMK government has systematically halted numerous beneficial projects that were launched during our tenure. This is a disservice to the people of Tamil Nadu. Once we form the government again, we will ensure these schemes are restored without delay," Palaniswami stated emphatically.
Addressing Local Demands and Criticizing DMK Expenditure
Reflecting on his own constituency, Palaniswami claimed that he had successfully fulfilled the majority of the demands raised by the residents of Edappadi. He assured that any remaining issues would be addressed comprehensively in the future. Furthermore, he launched a sharp criticism against the DMK government for what he described as wasteful expenditure of public funds.
"The DMK administration has squandered taxpayer money on extravagant events like the Chennai car race held in 2024. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin must provide a clear explanation regarding the beneficiaries and purpose of such events," Palaniswami asserted, highlighting concerns over fiscal responsibility.
Nomination Filings Across Key Constituencies
The nomination process witnessed active participation from candidates across various political parties in multiple constituencies. In the Edappadi constituency itself, DMK candidate C Kasi also submitted his nomination papers on Monday, setting the stage for a direct contest.
Coimbatore and Thondamuthur Constituencies
In the Thondamuthur constituency located in Coimbatore district, AIADMK's S P Velumani formally filed his nomination. Prior to this procedural step, Velumani visited the Perur Patteeswarar Temple to offer prayers, seeking divine blessings for his electoral campaign. He was accompanied by former BJP state president K Annamalai, indicating cross-party support during the nomination phase.
Meanwhile, in the Avinashi constituency, BJP candidate and Union Minister of State L Murugan completed his nomination filing. Union Minister G Kishan Reddy was present to support Murugan, who used the opportunity to criticize the DMK government over issues such as steep increases in power tariffs and allegations of corruption, claiming these have burdened the common people.
Coimbatore South and North Constituencies
The Coimbatore South constituency saw DMK candidate and former minister V Senthil Balaji file his nomination at the corporation central zone office. This was preceded by a large procession starting from Race Course, which attracted participation from more than 2,000 dedicated DMK cadres. The procession featured vibrant cultural performances, adding a festive atmosphere to the political event.
After submitting his papers, Balaji countered AIADMK's claims by arguing that the previous AIADMK government could not take credit for several key development projects, including the Western Ring Road, G D Naidu Flyover, Semmozhi Park, and Periyar Library. "The government orders, fund allocations, and inaugurations for these projects were actually executed by the DMK under the leadership of Chief Minister M K Stalin," Balaji clarified, challenging the narrative put forth by opposition parties.
In response, AIADMK candidate Amman K Arjunan filed his nomination for the Coimbatore South seat. Interestingly, this constituency also attracted more than 20 independent candidates, with four of them sharing the name "Senthil," adding a unique dimension to the electoral race.
In Coimbatore North, BJP candidate and Mahila Morcha national president Vanathi Srinivasan filed her nomination at the office of the joint director of agriculture on Thadagam Road. She was supported by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, who alleged widespread disillusionment among the public with the current DMK administration. Vanathi warned that a return of the DMK to power would be detrimental to the state's progress, a sentiment echoed by K Annamalai, who also joined her during the nomination process.
Dharmapuri Constituency
In a separate development, PMK candidate Sowmiya Anbumani, who is the wife of PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss, filed her nomination in the Dharmapuri constituency, further diversifying the political landscape in Tamil Nadu.
As the election campaign intensifies, these nomination filings and the accompanying statements from key leaders underscore the high stakes and competitive nature of the upcoming assembly polls in Tamil Nadu, with each party vying to present its vision and critique opponents effectively.
