An unusual letter
AIADMK co-coordinator and Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami used his own letterhead while writing to party cadre, urging them to work for the party's success in the upcoming election. While letters from the leadership to party workers is not unusual, the AIADMK had, all these days, been issuing press releases and statements from the joint leadership, comprising both party coordinator O. Panneerselvam and Mr. Palaniswami. — Dennis S. Jesudasan
Backing ‘beautiful’ Thamizhachi
Little did DMK’s Chennai South candidate Thamizhachi Thangapandian anticipate how Udhayanidhi Stalin would introduce her to the voters. The actor and son of DMK president M.K. Stalin inaugurated the party’s constituency office on Wednesday at Bazaar Road in Saidapet. When he said, “I appeal to the South Chennai voters not to miss the opportunity to send such a beautiful representative to Parliament,” there was a huge round of applause, even as a visibly embarrassed Thamizhachi covered her face. Mr. Udhayanidhi immediately qualified his statement by saying that he did not refer to her appearance, but “her beautiful Tamil, her affection for M.K. Stalin and her love for public service”. — R. Sujatha
Courting controversy
In a controversial statement, AIADMK leader and Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar said: “If you vote for the AIADMK, it would be ₹1,500 a month, okay?” He was referring to the party’s promise to provide a monthly dole to those living below the poverty line under the Amma National Poverty Eradication Scheme. Recalling how AIADMK founder M.G. Ramachandran channelled social consciousness through his movies, Mr. Jayakumar said the election manifesto was aimed at covering all sections of society. — Dennis S. Jesudasan