AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami is set to relaunch his extensive state-wide election campaign later this month, following a suspension due to a tragic stampede. The announcement coincides with the party witnessing an overwhelming response from aspirants seeking tickets for the upcoming assembly polls, with applications exceeding 9,000.
Campaign Resumes from Chengalpattu
Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) will restart his public outreach campaign, 'Makkalai Kappom, Tamilagathai Meetpom', from Tiruporur in Chengalpattu district on December 28. This leg of the tour is scheduled to span three days, during which he will cover five assembly constituencies across Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, and Chennai districts.
The campaign was initially launched on July 7 from Mettupalayam in Coimbatore and had successfully covered 174 assembly segments. However, it was suspended following the unfortunate Karur stampede during a TVK rally. EPS made a brief resumption on November 30 with a meeting at Gobichettipalayam but did not continue with further events immediately after.
The official statement regarding the campaign's restart was released on a day when EPS held a meeting with BJP's election in-charge for Tamil Nadu, Piyush Goyal. In the statement, EPS directed senior party functionaries and district secretaries to ensure the success of the campaign in their respective regions.
Overwhelming Response for Party Tickets
Meanwhile, the AIADMK headquarters has been a hub of activity as the process for accepting applications for party tickets concluded. The party has received an unprecedented number of applications from hopeful candidates.
More than 9,000 applications were submitted by aspirants seeking to contest the assembly elections on the AIADMK ticket. This number surpasses the approximately 8,300 applications received ahead of the 2021 Assembly polls.
The application process, which began on December 15, saw a final rush on Tuesday, the last day. A party staff member involved in collecting forms stated, "Over 9,000 applications were submitted till 5 PM today. The deadline was extended beyond 5 PM as many party functionaries were still in queue."
The party has collected a significant sum through application fees, which were fixed at:
- Rs 15,000 for Tamil Nadu
- Rs 5,000 for Puducherry
- Rs 2,000 for Kerala
The total collection from these fees has crossed a remarkable Rs 13.5 crore, indicating intense interest in securing the party's nomination.
Road Ahead for AIADMK
The dual developments mark a crucial phase for the principal opposition party in Tamil Nadu. The resumption of EPS's direct-contact campaign is a strategic move to reconnect with the electorate and galvanize the party cadre ahead of the elections. The massive influx of ticket applications, coupled with substantial fee collection, reflects both the party's continued draw among political aspirants and its efforts to build a war chest for the electoral battle.
As EPS hits the campaign trail again, starting from Tiruporur, the political landscape in Tamil Nadu is set to intensify, with all major parties fine-tuning their strategies for the upcoming assembly elections.
