The Edappadi K. Palaniswami government, which forced by-elections to 18 Assembly constituencies in the State by disqualifying MLAs opposed to the ruling party’s pro-Modi stand, is again trying to disqualify three more legislators as it fears defeat in all seats, said AMMK general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran here on Wednesday.
Kicking off his election campaign at Tirupparankundram for four Assembly constituencies going to the polls on May 19, he said the government that came to power because of late Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, and Mr. Palaniswami, who became Chief Minister because of AMMK leader Sasikala, had betrayed not only both leaders but also the people of the State who voted for them.
Mr. Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O. Pannerselvam had forged an alliance with the BJP, a party with which Jayalalithaa was not inclined to have an electoral understanding, and the PMK and DMDK that spoke ill of her.
“Since this government was acting at the behest of Modi [Prime Minister], the MLAs revolted against the party. We could have gone to the Supreme Court challenging their disqualification. But we decided to fight the election to ensure that the anti-people government was immediately removed,” he said.
Under this rule, people from every walk of life were suffering. “Only the CM, the Deputy CM, the Ministers and MLAs are enjoying,” he claimed.
Stating that Tirupparankundram was a fortress of AIADMK since the days of its founder M.G. Ramachandran, and till Jayalalithaa was alive, he added that the people should now prove it that the Assembly segment was now the fortress of AMMK by electing its candidate I. Mahendran.
If elected, Mr. Mahendran would not support those who were involved in sand smuggling but stop them.
The AMMK leader alleged that the ruling party might try to win the election by buying votes with cash.
He campaigned at Iravathanallur, Viraganoor, S. Puliyankulam, Silaiman, Kallambal, among other parts of Tirupparankundram Assembly constituency. The campaign would continue on Thursday.