Sasikala calls for unity over Thiruparankundram deepam row

Madurai: General secretary of the All India Puratchi Thalaivar Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AIPTMMK), V K Sasikala, called for respecting the sentiments of all communities and emphasised the need for unity amid the Thiruparankundram hill deepam controversy.Sasikala campaigned at the Thiruparankundram bus stand in support of her party candidate T Thanapandian on Tuesday. During her address, she touched upon the controversy surrounding the lighting of the deepam atop the Thiruparankundram hill and said, "We should respect the sentiments of all communities and act in unity."Sasikala asserted that the primary achievement of the DMK's five-year tenure has been the decline of the state's financial health to its lowest point, claiming that revenues intended for the govt are being rerouted elsewhere.She specifically targeted the energy sector, alleging that the DMK govt is purchasing electricity from private entities at exorbitant rates ranging from 15 to 25 per unit.Sasikala emphasised that Tamil Nadu can only prosper if the current "anti-people monarchical rule" is replaced by a true democracy that serves all sections of society.She predicted that the numerous parties currently allied with the DMK would vanish from the political landscape following the conclusion of this election.The AIPTMMK leader also appealed to the electorate to cast their votes for Thanapandian to ensure a victory by a significant margin. She further called for full support for candidates from Dr Ramadoss's party and all other allies within the coalition.