Chennai: With bypoll ground reports said to be unfavourable for the ruling party, Chief Minister Vijay has reportedly told Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) functionaries that his campaign would set things right.
The bypolls are being held in the constituencies vacated by Maragatham and Sathyabama, who had earlier won as AIADMK MLAs, resigned their seats and later joined TVK. Both are now contesting as TVK candidates in the same constituencies.
According to senior TVK office-bearers, there has been public resistance during the candidates’ visits in Madurantakam and Dharapuram. They said the decision to field the two former AIADMK legislators has not gone down well with voters and has also triggered dissatisfaction within the party.
The concerns were conveyed to TVK general secretary and minister Anand, who reportedly brought them to the Chief Minister’s attention. With an intelligence report also said to be adverse, a meeting was held at the Chief Minister’s camp office a couple of days ago.
At the meeting, Vijay is said to have remarked that the discontent would last only until he begins campaigning, and that his presence in both constituencies would resolve it. His strategist John Arokiyasamy reportedly echoed the view, saying votes would be for Vijay’s face rather than the candidates, prompting some party functionaries to wonder if the leadership is taking the ground situation seriously.
