The Desiya Murpoku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) candidate, D. Sivamuthukumar, ended his election campaign with the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) leader Vaiko addressing a meeting at Jaihindpuram.
Mr. Vaiko was greeted by supporters of former DMK leader M.K. Alagiri on the dais. Speaking about Mr. Alagiri, the MDMK leader said that he had been ousted from the DMK because he asked for justice and had sought to question the functioning of the party.
Stating that a ‘Modi wave’ was indeed sweeping the country, Mr. Vaiko said that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) comprising the MDMK, PMK, DMDK, Indiya Jananayaka Katchi (IJK), and Kongu Desiya Makkal Katchi would win hands down in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
“The AIADMK general secretary, Jayalalithaa, has referred to us as fragmented parties who do not have a fixed aim. We are a strong, united contingent, who will fight for the welfare of the State in the Centre,” he stated.
Mr. Vaiko also said that despite the alliance, the parties would still embrace and uphold their individual identities. “The MDMK is still against the implementation of the common civil code,” he said.
Among the issues he touched upon, Mr. Vaiko spoke about the ills of alcohol and said that subsidised liquor would be a thing of the past if the alliance came to power.
“Apart from the health of the people, safety and security of women in the State are being compromised because of the rise in alcoholics. There have been several alarming instances of crimes against women as well over the last few months,” he said.
TuticorinMarumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Vaiko has appealed to people to cast their votes for S. Joel, party candidate for the Tuticorin Lok Sabha constituency.
Campaigning at Kovilpatti on Tuesday, he said total prohibition of liquor could be implemented in Tamil Nadu if the candidates of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) were voted to power. Many families were ruined as the breadwinners were addicted to liquor being sold in State-owned TASMAC shops.
Liquor consumption led to rise in antisocial activities, and women faced many problems because of the drinking habit of their husbands in many families.
Recalling his padayatra pressing for total prohibition in Tamil Nadu, he said there was an overwhelming response to it from women.
Both the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam governments were only concerned about increasing liquor sales and they never bothered to close liquor shops in the interest of the public.
Hence, the people should shun these two parties and vote for the MDMK which had got ‘Top’ as its symbol, he said.
Referring to the problem of water scarcity experienced by the people of Kovilpatti, Mr. Vaiko said it would be solved if Mr. Joel was elected to Parliament. He also said the safety matches industries which were closed down would be reopened to benefit the stakeholders.
Lashing out at the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre, he said the people were affected by the soaring prices of diesel, petrol and gas and they should defeat the Congress in the upcoming election.
Mr. Vaiko exuded confidence that Mr. Joel would secure a massive win.
