T.N. Assembly election: Tamil Nadu needs to be saved from the DMK, says Vijay

Beginning his election campaign for the upcoming Assembly elections from the Perambur constituency, where he is making his electoral debut, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam president C Joseph Vijay on Monday said Tamil Nadu needs to be saved from the DMK.

Addressing cadres and supporters at TVK Link Road in Kodungaiyur, Mr. Vijay said Tamil Nadu is currently facing serious issues such as lack of women’s safety, poor law and order, and the increasing proliferation of narcotic substances. “The DMK is the reason for this condition of the State. We need to save Tamil Nadu from the DMK, which is an evil force,” he said.

He said Perambur is close to his heart and he considered it his home. Referring to the presence of Lourde Annai Church, Prasanna Narasimha Perumal Temple, and several mosques in the area, the TVK chief said he chose to begin his election campaign from Perambur by following his conscience.

Questioning governance under the DMK regime, he asked how people could live without access to basic amenities and safety. “Is this a State or a jungle? If a government is unable to ensure the basic needs and safety of its people, then what is the point of being in power for five years?” he said.

Accusing DMK president and Chief Minister M. K. Stalin of lacking concern for people’s welfare, Mr. Vijay alleged the DMK, over the past five years in power, had focused only on corruption and enriching its family.

He criticised the government for failing to provide safety and employment opportunities, and said Mr. Stalin-led government has to be removed. He urged voters to come out in large numbers and participate in polling on April 23, voting for his party.

Later, he also campaigned for his party’s nominee in the Kolathur Assembly segment, where Mr. Stalin is contesting for the fourth time.

Campaign cancelled

Originally, Mr. Vijay was scheduled to campaign in the Perambur, Kolathur, and Villivakkam Assembly segments from 2 p.m. till late evening on Monday. However, he began his campaign earlier than scheduled.

He only addressed the public for a few minutes in both Perambur and Kolathur Assembly segments. He did not proceed to Villivakkam as planned. The party cited lack of security as the reason for the change in schedule.

In a statement, party general secretary N. Anand alleged proper arrangements to ensure the safety of people and traffic diversion were not made at the points and routes where Mr. Vijay was scheduled to speak in Kolathur and Villivakkam. He said the party had to cancel the campaign in Villivakkam considering the safety of Mr. Vijay and the public.

The party also wrote to the Election Commission citing lapses in security arrangements. In a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer, TVK joint general secretary C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar claimed there was “absolutely no police deployment or traffic management provided by authorities” for Mr. Vijay’s convoy when it proceeded from Perambur to Kolathur.

He also said due to the overwhelming response and large public gathering on the roads, the campaign vehicle was brought to a standstill, bringing the entire campaign to a halt. He requested the Election Commission to direct the Greater Chennai City Police to provide adequate personnel and proper traffic management for Mr. Vijay’s campaign.