Jayalalithaa appeals to voters to give her a strong mandate in RK nagar bypoll

Chennai: Facing a crucial election, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Thursday once again appealed to the electorate of RK Nagar constituency to give her a strong mandate insisting that the June 27 bypoll here was a result of "political conspiracy" against her.

"Since you are aware of the web of political conspiracy being spun against me or the innumerable attacks being carried out against me, it is not unknown to you that this bypoll is being held because of fate and conspiracy," she said.

Addressing a public rally on Monday, Jayalalithaa had referred to her disqualification as Chief Minister last year following her conviction in a disproportionate assets case and said there was a 'situation' wherein she could not be the chief minister due to a "politically motivated case."

She had also termed the bypoll as a 'compulsion', recalling how the electorate had given a resounding victory to her colleague P Vetrivel in the 2011 elections.

Seeking a massive mandate as a 'precursor' for next year's Assembly polls, the 67-year-old AIADMK supremo had vowed to relentlessly work for the people of RK Nagar from where she is seeking election to the Assembly post her acquittal in the wealth case. In a statement here today, Jayalalithaa said she had been targeted for the sole reason of working for the people ever since the day her mentor, AIADMK founder M G Ramachandran, introduced her to politics.

"What keeps me moving is the love and affection we have towards each other. I reach out to the people again and again due to this love," she said.

Referring to the various welfare schemes being implemented by her government, Jayalalithaa urged the voters to vote for her party symbol, the 'Two Leaves,' on Saturday and give her a "grand victory."