Bypolls: Vijay seeks support for TVK government as Stalin, Palaniswami attack ruling party
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and TVK founder C Joseph Vijay on Sunday appealed to voters in Madurantakam and Dharapuram to back his administration, as the campaign for the October 6 bypolls ended amid sharp attacks from the opposition DMK and AIADMK.
Vijay urged voters to continue supporting what he described as an "honest and corruption-free" government, while DMK president M K Stalin and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami accused the ruling party of electoral and administrative wrongdoing.
The bypolls will be held on October 6 and votes will be counted on October 9.
Vijay said it was time for him to thank the people who had shown "unprecedented love" during the recent Assembly election and appointed him as their "primary servant" as Chief Minister.
"No amount of thanks can truly measure up to the people of Tamil Nadu who established a genuine and conscientious democracy," he said.
Describing the present administration as one led by the people, Vijay sought their continued support to ensure that the government "continues and grows even stronger".
He also thanked voters in Chengalpattu, Coimbatore and Tiruppur districts for their response during the bypoll campaign, saying their reception would remain etched in his heart.
Vijay said the TVK would not compromise on public welfare and would continue to maintain an "honest, corruption-free administration backed by a conscientious democracy".
Stalin, meanwhile, alleged that cash was being distributed to voters through tiffin carriers and said even parties supporting the government from outside had accused the ruling party of attempting to buy votes across entire streets.
He also claimed that the TVK's projection of itself as a "pure force" had lost credibility within four months of coming to power.
Palaniswami accused the TVK of using fraudulent tactics and unethical means during the recent Assembly election and alleged that it was now running a "minority administration" with the support of other parties despite not having the required majority.
"Out of fear of defeat, TVK members are indulging in unethical means and alluring promises to secure votes, a ploy well understood by the public," he alleged.
Palaniswami also claimed that the response to his campaign for AIADMK candidates in Madurantakam and Dharapuram indicated that their victory was assured.
The bypolls were necessitated after AIADMK MLAs K Maragatham Kumaravel and P Satyabama resigned from the Madurantakam and Dharapuram constituencies, respectively, before joining the Vijay-led party.
