Chennai: Dismissing suggestions that the AIADMK was behind rejection of actor Vishal’s nomination papers in RK Nagar by-election, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Wednesday said the state government and the ruling party did not “interfere” in the functioning of the returning officer who acted independently.
Addressing a meeting of party workers in RK Nagar, where byelections are scheduled for December 21, Palaniswami, who was flanked by Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam and senior cabinet colleagues, took strong objection to reports that the AIADMK could be behind the rejection of Vishal’s candidature.
“AIADMK has nothing to do with the rejection of nomination papers of actor Vishal. If forms are not filled properly and if there are some flaws, there will certainly be action against such people. Where did we interfere? We never do such things. The entire country is keenly watching the R K Nagar by-election and this organisation will survive another hundred years,” Palaniswami said.
Recalling that late chief minister J. Jayalalithaa represented R K Nagar, Palaniswami exhorted party workers to ensure the victory of nominee E Madhusudhanan by following the rules and regulations imposed by the Election Commission of India.
In his speech, Panneerselvam said the by-election was a “golden chance” to prove to the world that R K Nagar is “AIADMK’s bastion.” “In the April elections, the AIADMK was deprived of Two Leaves symbol since the party was split. Two Leaves has always been lucky for the AIADMK and we will dedicate the victory to the souls of late M. G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa,” he said.
Khushbu supports Vishal upset DMK, congress
DMK and Congress workers in Chennai are upset with Congress spokesperson Khushbu for supporting the candidature of actor Vishal on Tuesday. South Chennai Congress district secretary Karate R. Thiagarajan demanded action against Khushbu for not respecting the DMK-Congress alliance and he also issued a statement urging the Congress high command to take action against the actor.
“The Congress spokesperson should have taken an individual stand violating the coalition dharma and she should come and seek votes for our party candidate Marudhu Ganesh”, said DMK functionary Purushothaman of North Chennai.
