Tamil Nadu polls: Udhayanidhi Stalin files nomination from Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni; Vijay from Trichy East

NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu’s election race picked up pace on Thursday as Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin filed his nomination from Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni, while actor-politician Vijay also entered the fray from Trichy East.Udhayanidhi Stalin, son of Chief Minister MK Stalin, filed his nomination as the DMK candidate and held a roadshow on his way to the Returning Officer’s office. He is the sitting MLA from the constituency and is contesting against AIADMK candidate Adhirajaram. “We will create history, we will definitely win this time. Our leader will become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for the second time,” he told reporters.In the 2021 elections, he had won the seat by a margin of 69,355 votes.On Wednesday, Udhayanidhi also announced welfare measures, including Rs 8,000 coupons for household items such as TVs, refrigerators and washing machines. He said laptops have already been provided to 10 lakh college students.TVK president and actor Vijay filed his nomination from the Trichy East constituency on Friday. He had earlier filed from the Perambur seat on Monday and is contesting from both constituencies.He will face DMK candidates RD Sekar in Perambur and Inigo S Irudayaraj in Trichy East. Party workers gathered in large numbers to welcome him at Tiruchirappalli airport ahead of the filing.Earlier, Vijay released his party manifesto, promising anti-drug protection zones in schools and colleges. “Our primary goal is to create a drug-free Tamil Nadu,” he said.Tamil Nadu will vote in a single phase on April 23 for all 234 constituencies, with counting scheduled for May 4.