Chennai, March 30 -- Chief Minister M K Stalin and TVK chief Vijay filed their nominations on Monday for the April 23 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, marking a charged beginning to the electoral battle as campaigning gathered fierce momentum ahead of the high-stakes political showdown in the state.
Seeking a fourth consecutive mandate from Kolathur, Stalin struck a confident note after filing his papers, projecting an emphatic victory and continuity of governance.
Vijay, who entered the fray from the working-class stronghold of Perambur, attacked the DMK over the law and order situation and "rising unemployment."
The actor-politician also urged voters to give his party a decisive opportunity. Across Tamil Nadu, the first day of nominations on Monday witnessed a blend of political theatre and grassroots symbolism, with candidates adopting unconventional methods-from submitting deposits in coins to arriving at returning officers' offices in bullock carts.
Adding to the intensifying contest, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin kick-started his campaign from Kanchipuram, asserting that the election is a battle to drive out AIADMK chief Palaniswami and prevent Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah from gaining a toe-hold in the state.
Launching his campaign here in the native town of DMK founder leader CN Annadurai (1909-1969), Udhayanidhi, addressing a massive rally, recalled his father and party chief MK Stalin's statement that the ensuing poll was a fight between TN and Delhi and asserted that the BJP must not be allowed.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.