AIADMK irked as BJP begins poll work in seats before finalisation

Madurai: The BJP has started election work in some of the most preferred constituencies of the AIADMK, causing distress to AIADMK cadres in the southern districts.

BJP state president L Murugan inaugurated an office of the party in the Madurai South constituency two days ago, and there are posters, which claim BJP’s victory projecting state women’s wing president A R Mahalakshmi as the candidate. Mahalakshmi lost the seat to AIADMK’s S S Saravanan in the last assembly election.

Similarly, in Karaikudi in Sivaganga district, the BJP has put up posters and banners as if the constituency has been allotted to them. It is said that AIADMK Sivaganga district secretary P R Senthil Nathan is keen on contesting from the seat. Though he had submitted his application to contest from Sivaganga constituency in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, it was allocated to BJP’s H Raja. Now, that the BJP is painting the town with its symbol has caused concern among the supporters of Senthilnathan and the AIADMK.

Meanwhile, BJP’s joint in-charge for TN elections P Sudhakar Reddy, who addressed party cadres in Rajapalayam on Saturday, hinted that actress Gowthami would contest from Rajapalayam. However, the actress who addressed another meeting in Srivilliputtur after offering worship at the Andal temple said that it was not yet decided. On painting Rajapalayam town with the party symbols and colours, she said that they had done so on the behest of the party high command. Sudhakar Reddy’s visit to Rajapalayam after the announcement of the election is stated to be a confirmation that the party would contest from the seat, sources said.

Sources in the IT wing of the AIADMK said that it was the right of anybody to stake claim, but the AIADMK would not concede more than one of the ten assembly constituencies to the BJP. “They are seeking Madurai South for Mahalakshmi, because it is a sourashtra community-dominated area, but she will have a very tough fight,” they said.

Cadres said that Madurai was AIADMK’s fortress and that the party should keep all ten seats as Amma had proved that she could win the majority by going alone. Except for Madurai East and South, the BJP does not stand a chance in any other constituency, as the rest are the strongholds of the AIADMK, they said.