She came, she saw and she conquered. This sums up Monday evening’s election campaign by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa at RK Nagar near Chennai from where she is seeking election in the bypoll scheduled for June 27. In a ten-minute speech, her first public address in the last nine months, Jayalalithaa tore into all allegations and charges levelled against her by leaders of the CPI, the only recognised party which is challenging her in the bypoll.
Thousands of people, which included a considerable women crowd, waited for more than two hours at RK Nagar to hear their Puratchi Thalaivi’s (Tamil for Revolutionary leader) speech. Jayalalithaa began her speech by thanking the people of Tamil Nadu for praying for her success in the case. “It is only because of your prayers and blessings that I become Chief Minister again and again. You pray for me because of the good works I have done for you,” said Jayalalithaa. She also explained the reasons for the RK Nagar bypoll which included the court case. But at no point of time she mentioned about her bête-noir M Karunanidhi of the DMK.
Jayalalithaa listed the works done by her Government during the last four years for Tamil Nadu in general and RK Nagar in particular. “The CPI, which has fielded a candidate against me, is alleging that my Government has not done anything for the welfare of the State. But the CPI MlAs has spoken in praise of me in the legislative Assembly. They were in the forefront to congratulate the AIADMK Government for the Amma Restaurants, Amma Pharmacy and various other schemes launched by my Government,” said Jayalalithaa. She named the CPI MlAs who spoke in the Assembly appreciating all the good works done by her. “It is for you to decide now. I am for the people. I am because of you people. It is you who made me what I am,” Jayalalithaa concluded as the crowd reciprocated with thundering claps.
Jayalalithaa’s outing on Monday was her first campaign tour since she submitted her nomination papers. If the crowd turn out for Monday’s meeting is any indication, it is doubtful whether any of her rivals would get back their security deposit.
Velmurugan, a Jayalalithaa supporter, who has been waiting at Tondiarpet in RK Nagar, told The Pioneer that it was a foregone conclusion that Amma would sweep the election. “She would win even if she does not come for campaign. We all know that she was persecuted by her enemies,” said Velmurugan.