MADURAI/KANYAKUMARI: Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday exuded confidence that an AIADMK-led coalition government will be in power in Tamil Nadu after the assembly election. The party would also win the Kanyakumari Lok Sabha byelection from where Pon Radhakrishnan is contesting. "I am confident that a coalition government of AIADMK-BJP-PMK will be formed (after the assembly polls)," he said in Nagercoil.
Launching his "Vetri Kodiyendhi Tamizhagam Velvom" (Will Win Tamil Nadu carrying the flag of victory) campaign from Suchindram, Shah also set off the BJP's door-to-door campaign by distributing pamphlets to residents. Party sources said the campaign was aimed at connecting with the people and also to announce the candidature of Pon Radhakrishnan.
Later, accompanied by Radhakrishnan, he campaigned in an open vehicle from Hindu College in Nagercoil to Kamarajar statue at Veppamedu amidst cries of "Bharat Mata ki Jai" and "Vetrivel Veeravel" (dedicated to Lord Muruga). Speaking to reporters later in Hindi without a translator, Shah said he was sure about the outcome (of the polls), looking at the "excitement of the people," both in Kanyakumari as well in the assembly polls.
"We have started the campaign to take the BJP's lotus symbol door-to-door. Sending a BJP candidate to the Lok Sabha is important for the overall development of the region. People should vote for the AIADMK-BJP alliance and ensure its win with a big majority in the assembly," he added. He said he visited 11 houses to "convey Prime Minister Narendra Modi's message." "Shah was happy and just smiled and gave us pamphlets," said a resident. He also garlanded a statue of Congress leader and former chief minister K Kamaraj State BJP chief L Murugan and other senior state BJP leaders were present during Shah's tour. Earlier, the home minister arrived in Nagercoil by helicopter from Thiruvananthapuram where he was campaigning, and went to the Sri Sri Thanumalayan temple in Suchindram to offer worship. Tight security arrangements were made at the temple for the VVIP visit and devotees were not allowed inside in the morning. Shops near the temple also remained closed till he completed his rituals.