Southern States - Tamil Nadu   

Stage set for interesting battle

By R. Rajaram

TUTICORIN FEB. 24. The high-voltage campaign for the byelection in the Sattankulam Assembly constituency, with the two main rivals, the Congress and the AIADMK, aggressively seeking support from the electorate even on the final day, came to an end today.

With the byelection just 24 hours away, the stage is now all set for an interesting battle.

For nearly a month now, Sattankulam witnessed hectic campaigning. The heat began to be felt after the candidates — L. Neelamegavarnam of the AIADMK and A. Mahendran of the Congress — filed their nominations.

The AIADMK's mantra was that the Congress had failed to nourish and develop the constituency even though its member had been elected several times. The Congress, which started its field work and campaign way behind of the AIADMK, banked on the "anti-people'' policies of the AIADMK Government. Hike in ration rice price and electricity charges, the drought situation and wasteful expenditure by the AIADMK Government provided campaign fodder for the Congress and its supporting parties. To top it all was the anti-conversion law, which the Congress raked up during its campaign given the fact that the constituency has substantial section of Christians.

Support to the Congress came from the CPI, the Puthiya Thamizhagam, the Dalit Panthers of India and the Makkal Tamil Desam.

The campaign reached a climax in the last one week with the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, hitting the road. Not to be left behind, the Congress too brought in its national-level leaders, G. K. Vasan and Ramesh Chennithala.

During her five-day election campaign Ms. Jayalalithaa sent across the message that she was above all considerations of caste and religion. A vote for AIADMK would ensure Sattankulam emerging a model constituency, which, she claimed, was neglected by those elected earlier. The son of the-soil and neglect of the constituency were her pet themes.

The Congress for its part accused the Chief Minister of violating the code of conduct by making "hollow promises''.

EC deploys observers

Our Chennai Correspondent reports:

The Election Commission has divided the entire constituency into five segments and five observers have been asked to extensively tour their allotted segments to monitor the election. The observers are being provided with police security and a video camera to record any deviation.

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