Candidates launch campaigns in Trichy, Madurai

Trichy/Madurai: Candidates of DMK and AIADMK formally commenced their campaign for the assembly election in Trichy and Madurai regions on Sunday. Besides paying floral tributes to their party leaders, ideologues, and late family members, they also reached out to influential people in their constituencies to seek support.DMK principal secretary and Trichy West candidate K N Nehru began on a sentimental note by garlanding his late younger brother K N Ramajeyam's memorial at a private college on his 14th death anniversary. He met VIPs in the constituency, including entrepreneurs, and held a review meeting with the party's constituency-level workers to prepare a campaign schedule. "DMK will sweep all 41 assembly segments in delta districts to play a significant role in the return to power," Nehru said. School education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, recontesting in Thiruverumbur, garlanded Anna statue in Bhel near Thuvakudi before launching his campaign. He paid floral tributes to the statues of former CM M Karunanidhi. "Trichy is DMK's fort, and you will realise it on May 4, during the counting of votes. Welfare schemes and brand ‘Stalin' are our strengths," Anbil Mahesh said. Trichy East DMK candidate Inigo Irudayaraj, MLA, who will take on TVK leader Vijay, commenced his campaign from Kalaignar statue in TVS tollgate. He told reporters that he would retain the segment by a margin of 1 lakh votes. "Vijay lacks courage, has any party leader ever contested in two segments? I dare him to contest in Trichy East alone, leaving Perambur. He cannot deceive Christians with faith as a tool," Inigo said. AIADMK candidates for Srirangam and Trichy East, R Manoharan and K Rajashekaran, too launched their campaigns by opening an election office in Srirangam and garlanding MGR statue in Cantonment.In Madurai, DMK candidate for Thirumangalam constituency, M Manimaran, started his campaign after paying homage at his father Sedapatti Muthiah's resting place at Muthappanpatti. Madurai East constituency DMK candidate and minister P Moorthy inaugurated his election office at Othakadai. AIADMK candidate for Thirumangalam constituency, R B Udhayakumar, will start his campaign on Monday. In Madurai West, AIADMK's Sellur Raju will start his campaign on April 1.