Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday launched his election campaign from Tiruvarur, a day after filing his nomination to contest from Chennai’s Kolathur constituency.
Addressing a public meeting in support of DMK and alliance candidates, Stalin said the BJP was “planning to drain even the last rupee from the pockets of the poor”. He argued that the DMK government’s direct cash assistance to people was what the BJP could not tolerate.
Stalin highlighted welfare measures announced by the DMK government, including Rs 3,000 for Pongal celebrations and Rs 5,000 paid in February as women’s entitlement assistance along with a summer special component. He also said the party’s election manifesto has been titled “Super Star”, describing it as a set of plans the next DMK government intends to implement.
He accused the AIADMK and other parties aligned with the BJP of spreading “false news” to portray Tamil Nadu as a land of unrest, and claimed those efforts had failed. Stalin further alleged that the BJP had “bought” the AIADMK because it lacked the strength to take on the DMK, and urged voters to reject the BJP-led alliance.
Meanwhile, as Stalin travelled from Thanjavur to Tiruvarur by road after arriving by a special flight, election flying squad officials stopped his campaign vehicle near Saliyamangalam. They inspected bags and belongings for cash or gifts, and the check lasted a few minutes, with the Chief Minister cooperating with the officials.
