Udhayanidhi steps up attack on AIADMK, calls polls ‘battle for TN’

Pudukkottai: Deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Saturday termed the upcoming election crucial to prevent "Sanghi and slave forces" from entering Tamil Nadu and urged party cadres to intensify campaigning in the final days.Addressing a campaign meeting in support of Karur candidate M Thiagarajan and Aravakurichi candidate R Elango, he displayed a photograph of AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami at the feet of V K Sasikala. "This is how he became chief minister. That is why I keep saying he is a number one slave. It is important to prevent him and the ‘Sanghi' forces from entering Tamil Nadu. For the next five days, all of you should work towards that. Meet people in your streets and neighbourhoods and tell them about the success of our schemes. This battle is about Tamil Nadu versus Delhi," he said. Highlighting the DMK government's performance, Udhayanidhi said projects and welfare measures worth ₹5,000 crore had been implemented in Karur district during the party's five-year tenure under Chief Minister M K Stalin. On the HR&CE land issue, he said a special revenue officer had been appointed to examine the matter and assured a mutually acceptable resolution. Udhayanidhi made no reference to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, its leader Vijay, or last year's stampede that claimed 41 lives and left over 100 injured. Later, he campaigned at Krishnarayapuram Bazaar, seeking votes for DMK candidate C K Raja in the Krishnarayapuram assembly constituency.