People's verdict supreme: Jayalalitha

By S. Dorairaj

TUTICORIN, APRIL 23. ``I am determined to take Tamil Nadu along the path of progress, protecting its rights, despite attempts being made to prevent me from contesting elections, as I trust the people whose verdict is ultimate and supreme,'' was the AIADMK general secretary, Ms. Jayalalitha's refrain during her whirlwind election campaign in Tuticorin district today.

Addressing several road side meetings at Tuticorin, Muthiapuram, Palaya Kayal, Mukkani, Athur, Arumuganeri, Kayalpattinam, Tiruchendur, Kurukkuchalai, Eppodumvenran and Ettayapuram, she alleged that the Chief Minister and DMK president Mr. M. Karunanidhi, was ``going all out'' to prevent her from contesting, saying she had entered the fray only because she had immense faith in the people.Ms. Jayalalitha appealed to them for their support.

At a meeting in the port town, which has a predominant population of Nadars, the AIADMK chief said she was aware of the poor living conditions of palmyrah workers and promised them their upliftment.

At Kurukkuchalai, which fell within the Ottapidaram (reserved) constituency, now represented by the Puthiya Tamizhagam chief Dr. K. Krishnasamy, she recalled the Tamiraparani tragedy in which 17 persons were ``massacred due to a brutal lathi charge''and urged the electorate to ``teach a fitting lesson'' to the DMK which was ``responsible for the untoward incident''.

Listing various corruption charges against the DMK Government, she claimed that secessionist and extremist forces reared their heads and illicit liquor barons ruled the roost, in the DMK regime.

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Section  : Southern States
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