CHENNAI: The ruling AIADMK has set out on working out a strategy for the by-election to the Thiruparankundram Assembly constituency in Madurai. The bypoll may come at any time and we are preparing to win it, said party seniors, chief minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and deputy CM O. Panneerselvam, who held discussions with the party members in Madurai.
The constituency, according to Mr Palaniswami, has been returning an AIADMK candidate since the era of party founder M.G. Ramachandran and also during the rule of former CM J. Jayalalithaa. “Our party will continue its winning streak and we will retain the seat this time too. We will ensure a resounding win,” he said on Thursday. The Chief Minister, who addressed the media, along with Mr Panneerselvam, said the people of Thiruparankundram have already made up their mind on whom to elect in the by-poll and AIADMK would emerge victorious.
Responding to a query on the poll prospects of T.T.V. Dhinakaran’s AMMK in the by-poll, he said the R.K. Nagar-like situation would not arise in Thiruparankundram. “The electorate here are smarter and they think and act. They will vote for AIADMK,’’ he said.
Dhinakaran had won the R.K. Nagar by-election, held in December last year and upset the poll prospects of the ruling AIADMK, then. Mr. Panneerselvam had clearly explained during the party meeting on how Dhinakaran had won the R. K. Nagar by-election by cheating the people, Mr. Palaniswami claimed.
“The CM has given several pieces of good advice for party members to follow (during the polls). We are prepared to face election any time. The AIADMK will win Thiruparankundram by-poll with a margin of over 50,000 votes because all the party cadres and leaders are solidly with us,” Mr. Panneerselvam added.
On the IMD forecasting cyclonic storm on Oct. 7, the CM said the government had already made elaborate arrangements and is prepared to face the storm. “The government has taken all measures to prevent flooding and how to face any situation,” he said.
