Vasan kicks off campaign

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, OCT. 5. Kicking off his first-ever electoral campaign here today, the TMC president, Mr. G. K. Vasan, urged the voters to back the AIADMK-led secular combine in the civic elections to ensure good governance in local bodies.

In a virtual imitation of the campaign style of his father, G. K. Moopanar, he sent out a brief rhetoric-free message: ``Only the party in power in the State - AIADMK - can provide basic amenities''.

Insisting that he was only pursuing the secular course struck out by Moopanar in the Assembly elections four months ago, Mr Vasan said the electoral ties for the local bodies had been forged based on principles of secularism and good governance. And, much like Moopanar, he avoided even mild criticism of the opposition DMK.

Amid a burst of clouds and crackers, Mr. Vasan arrived for his meeting at least an hour behind schedule, leaving even the senior AIADMK leader and Electricity Minister, Mr. D. Jayakumar, waiting for a while. The AIADMK's Mayoral candidate, Mr. N. Balaganga, did not turn up as he was busy with door-to- door canvassing. At the meeting, Mr. Jayakumar said the AIADMK general secretary, Ms. Jayalalithaa, would return to power within two months and the DMK would be wiped out after the civic election.

In a clear indication that the ruling AIADMK would draw electoral mileage out of the Supreme Court verdict ousting Ms. Jayalalithaa from Chief Ministership, Mr. Jayakumar charged that the DMK, fighting shy of a direct political confrontation, had back- stabbed the AIADMK.

He said Ms. Jayalalithaa had taken all steps to solve the water problem in Chennai. The Mayor, Mr. M. K. Stalin, who was seeking re- election, should explain his ``failure'' to address the acute water shortage in the city, the TMC MP, Mr. Peter Alphonse, said.

And, the Chennai voters should also decide whether they wanted to elect a Mayor who would confront or cooperate with the State Government, he added.

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Section  : Southern States
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