What they did on the last day

MK ends campaign with big public meet
DMK treasurer M K Stalin spent Saturday in his constituency of Kolathur in Chennai, meeting as many voters as he could in the last leg of campaigning.He walked into every street, meeting children and elders, having coffee with residents and even shaking hands with commuters passing through on buses.
His father and DMK's chief ministerial candidate M Karunanidhi had a busy day, meeting family members and party cadres to plan his last public meeting in Chindadripet on Saturday evening.He said if AIADMK is elected, Jayalalithaa would change “Tamil Nadu“ into “Amma Nadu“.
Slamming the AIADMK government for poor fiscal status and unkept promises, Karunanidhi said no one was happy with the last five years of governance. He ended his public rally at Chindadripet with an impassioned speech to vote for DMK.
In Kolathur, until the stroke of 6pm when campaigning ended, Stalin met people assuring them of good governance.“A government that is free of commission, corruption and collection should be formed in Tamil Nadu. Moreover, I swear that there will be no political interference in the functioning of police to end atrocities such as kangaroo courts,“ he said, while addressing a public meeting in Ramana Nagar in his constituency .
Stalin said Tamil Nadu has regressed 50 years. Eliciting people's views, he asked whether there was employment growth and industrial development in the last five years. When a majority in the gathering said no, he replied: “You are saying no to everything. So, say no to Jayalalithaa as well.“
Jayalalithaa spends a quiet day at home
AIADMK leader and chief minister J Jayalalithaa confined herself to her Poes Garden residence on Saturday, and chose to issue a threepage statement asking the electorate to give her a huge mandate as well as to boost the morale of cadres.
While other chief ministerial candidates held public meetings and went out to meet people, Jayalalithaa had decided to take it easy. Her stay-at-home day is being perceived by observers as quiet confidence. She is usually known to wind up her campaign well ahead of the schedule put out by the election commission. Following a well-planned schedule, over the last two months, she visited 15 towns and her home constituency of RK Nagar. While her rivals travelled by van or on foot, Jayalalithaa took choppers to travel extensively this election covering all 234 constituencies in 17 days with a break for each public rally.
Exuding confidence about her electoral prospects in the statement she issued on Saturday , the AIADMK leader said that she had no doubt about people giving a resounding victory. Alleging that her main rival DMK was corrupt and antipeople, she reminded voters about her achievements in the last five years, stressing on power, water disputes and reservation for women in local bodies.
All seemed quiet around her residence and no big leaders were seen visiting her during the day. However, the AIADMK chief did issue a notice expelling two party functionaries in Vellore and Tuticorin from the party for “anti-party activities“ but did not give any further details.
Anbumani pledges to give a corruption-free state
Grand promises have marked PMK chief ministerial candidate Anbumani Ramadoss' campaign and the last day was no different. He started his day by taking a pledge in front of a photograph of Mahatma Gandhi, promising to fulfil all his poll promises within two years of coming to power.
“I am appealing the voters to give me a chance to serve. My government will fulfill all our poll promises within two years.If not, my ministers, MLAs and I will resign,“ he said in his constituency of Pennagaram.
He then set out to meet voters, reiterating his stance against corruption and for good governance. “This election is a chance to bring change in the state. People should make use of this election and vote for change,“ he said.
He alleged that DMK cadres have distributing money to voters in M Karunanidhi's constituency of Tiruvarur and M K Stalin's constituency of Kolathur. He also alleged that Pennagaram DMK candidate P N P Inbasekaran distributed `15 crore to voters while AIADMK candidate K P Munusamy gave `30 crore. “Both party's cadres are bribing voters; how will ensure a corruption-free government?“ he said.
Captain plays it cool on last day
Slogans of `C for captain, C for change' and `Captain dum dum dum' rent the air as DMDK leader and actor Vijayakant campaigned in Ulundurpet on Saturday . He's been living in the constituency since May 8, and covered all the 18 wards on Saturday seeking votes.
He didn't make major speeches and `the captain' mostly played it cool. He spent an hour on Twitter answering queries from users, visited people in Ulundurpet, and saved his best for the last public meeting in the evening.“How many kilometres will you travel to pay power bills? 5km? How many Tasmac shops are there on your road?
We will change this scenario,“ he began, striking a conversation with the public. A Vijayakant meeting without a minor skirmish is a rarity . In his typical style, he told DMDK cadres to “behave yourselves“ and then directed VCK cadres, who had gathered in large numbers carrying party flags, to remain quiet so he could speak. He directed them to lower the flags and pass them to those standing at the corners as they blocked his view of the crowd.
His brother-in-law and party youth wing leader L K Sudheesh was in Ulundurpet, while his wife Premalatha was canvassing votes in Chennai. VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan joined him at the meeting.
When asked on Twitter why educated youth were not a part of his campaign he replied: “You are always welcome.“