Chennai: At a time when farmers are protesting throughout the state demanding the formation of Cauvery Management Board and drought relief, campaign in RK Nagar revolves around inquiry into the death of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and her legacy, besides civic issues.
In RK Nagar, Jayalalithaa's name is raised repeatedly like a slogan to garner people's support. Besides, the underdeveloped constituency has unsolved civic issues like sewage flowing without proper drainage, garbage heaped in several areas and groundwater polluted by leakage of Bharat Petroleum pipes.
Both the factions of AIADMK are seeking votes to continue the good work and welfare schemes of Jayalalithaa. AIADMK (Amma) candidate T.T.V. Dhinakaran does not miss an opportunity to point out that his faction is running the government and asks people to vote for him to solve the civic problems and develop the constituency.
Moving through the lanes and bylanes in his vehicle, Dhinakaran stops the vehicle to tell women voters who gather around him and those watching from rooftops that voting for him would restore Jayalalithaa's symbol of 'two leaves'. He also lists the schemes Jayalalithaa had announced for the seat and asserts that they will be implemented if they voted for him.
Former minister E. Madhusudhanan, candidate of AIADMK (Puratchithalaivi Amma), harps on his loyalty to Jayalalithaa and recalls that he was with the faction headed by Jayalalithaa in 1989. He never forgets to mention that he was the candidate in RK Nagar for Jayalalithaa faction at that time and again in 1991.
He also proudly declares that he was the dummy candidate for Jayalalithaa when she contested twice from the seat. He also promises to solve the drinking water scarcity and provide house pattas and slum board clearance homes to the poor.
The alleged mystery in Jayalalithaa's death has become one of the crucial issues to secure the support of voters, especially women and even the principal Opposition DMK is focusing on the subject. AIADMK (Puratchithalaivi Amma) leader O. Panneerselvam had promised an inquiry commission, while Dhinakaran had welcomed such a move. DMK working president M.K. Stalin had went a step further and said an enquiry commission would be set up by the DMK to question everyone including Panneerselvam.
Parties like the BJP, Naam Thamizhar and CPM are the ones who do not mention Jayalalithaa's name for support. But, they too focus on the plenty of civic issues the constituency is facing for decades.
