‘People don’t realise dangers of living on a river bank’ One of the most ardent fans of her party leader J Jay -alalithaa, social welfare minister and AIADMK’s Thousand Lights candidate B Valarmathi, 59, grabbed eyeballs several years ago when she rolled on the floor of a temple covered in just neem leaves to show her devotion to Amma. Valarmathi banks largely on the AIADMK government’s mascot schemes to seek votes. She walks briskly for a good three hours from 7am every day, greeting people with folded hands in a personalized campaign. She spoke to Jaya Menon in between her door-to-door electioneering.
The AIADMK faced a lot of flak in the handling of the flood situation. How are you countering it during your campaign?The criticism was baseless. Our relief work was wellcoordinated and excellent.
What is the main plank of AIADMK candidates?Amma’s achievements and schemes. They have reached every household. People want her rule back.
There is a charge that your leader was inaccessible to Union ministers? Union minister Venkaiah Naidu said he had no problem meeting Amma. Is he lying? Tell me, is he lying?
Will the undercurrents and rebellion of senior ministers impact your chances?Are these issues that get us votes? Of course they are not. It is Amma’s achievements that are going to get us votes. Amma has said only a ‘mother’ knows what her children needs. She is Amma.
One problem is the slum along the Cooum. Why have successive governments failed to relocate them?
Every time we send officials to collate details like number of families, they gherao them and chase them away. They don’t realise that living on the Cooum banks poses a threat to their lives.
What have you done for your constituency?
Cement roads were laid and a community hall was built. Mini buses ply and streetlights have been replaced with LED bulbs. One long demand has been the flyover from Valluvar Kottam to Ega Theatre. We are working on it.
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