Leaders go into a huddle on eve of polling

CHENNAI: On the eve of elections, it was a nail-biting wait for political leaders, candidates and fucntionaries. Most political party chiefs went into a huddle and had discussions with workers and supporters. While most discussed election strategies with candidates and functionaries, very few actually took a break from the routine.
Chief minister M Karunanidhi met his son and deputy chief minister M K Stalin to discuss the current political scenario at his residence on Tuesday.Later, he dropped in at the Kalaignar TV office, which is located in the DMK headquarters premises. Karunanidhi spent more than one hour there, chatting with the employees about the latest political trends.
He also gave an interview to the channel where he reiterated that his party will win this election and his first priority as the next Chief minister would be to sort out issues faced by low-income groups. Sources said Karunanidhi feels that reducing the price of rice was his first and most effective policy after coming to power in 2006. "He believes that this initiative will bring him back to power and so is keen that his future initiatives should be similar," said sources.
AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa spent a quiet day at her Poes Garden bungalow in the city after her hectic 19-day campaign across the state. While her appointment book allowed few visitors, her subordinates gave instructions to candidates. MDMK leader Vaiko left for his native place with his family on Tuesday morning to cast his vote Kalingapatti village in Tirunelveli district.
Stalin continued to have discussions with party leaders at the headquarters and gave instructions to district functionaries on how they should work on polling day. DMDK leader Vijayakanth spent time with his party cadres in Rishivandhiyam constituency and advised them to keep a watch on rival candidates distributing money to voters. Vijayakanth returned to Chennai late in the evening to cast his vote in the Virugambakkam constituency.
PMK leader S Ramadoss and his son Anbumani Ramadoss stayed in Thailapuram garden near Tindivanam. They talked to candidates about polling booth strategies. Ramadoss senior called up his well-wishers and held discussions about his party's prospects in the elections.
VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan visited five constituencies from where his party candidates are contesting. He also met alliance party functionaries and urged them to ensure everything went well in polling booths in the VCK constituencies.
BJP leader Pon Radhakrishnan stayed in Nagerkoil and asked his party workers to issue booth slips. He traveled to Kanyakumari and met the candidates and gave instructions on how they should work on election day.