Chennai: Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) chief coordinator Seeman on Sunday alleged that people were being misled during elections by distributing household items such as “anda, gunda and mixi”. He made the remarks while launching his campaign in Tiruttani after announcing candidates for all 234 Assembly constituencies.
In his speech, Seeman said several groups—including doctors, nurses, teachers and farmers—were continuing protests, and questioned claims of “good governance” amid such unrest. He also criticised the practice of giving women Rs 5,000, asking whose money was being used and alleging that votes were being secured through payments.
Seeman further claimed that private schools and colleges were of better quality than government-run institutions, attributing the gap to “unqualified” people holding power. He also alleged that government hospitals lacked quality, pointing out that the Chief Minister and ministers opt for private hospitals when unwell.
Calling the contest a choice between such approaches, he criticised politics based on caste, religion and money. He said his party had continued to fight for change without paying money for votes, and argued that accepting cash or gifts for voting was an affront to self-respect.
