Jayalalitha springs a surprise

By Our Special Correspondent

SALEM, MAY 8. In a surprise move, the AIADMK general secretary, Ms. Jayalalitha, got down from her van and went on foot to solicit votes in Mettupatti-Thadhanur hamlet near here on Monday.

The motorcade on its way from Salem to Athur with tight security took a diversion at Valasaiyur to go to the interior places falling under the jurisdiction of the Yercaud (reserved) constituency, where Mr. T. Ilayakannu is contesting on the AIADMK ticket.

Accustomed to campaigning from the highly guarded van, Ms. Jayalalitha suddenly decided to deviate from the routine and alighted from the vehicle ``to breath fresh air and to have a stroll in the hamlet''.

She directed the security personnel not to follow her, and therefore, they all positioned themselves on the main road. She walked about a distance of 120 feet casually and approached the villagers who had gathered there.

The villagers watched with a sense of disbelief Ms. Jayalalitha personally coming over there to seek their support. An elderly woman mustered courage to go near her and related the problems of the hamlet.

The AIADMK chief, holding the woman's hand, assured her that if her party was voted to power, their lot would improve.

Another woman brought an infant to her for christening. Ms. Jayalalitha named the child `Jayapriya'.

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Section  : State Elections
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