Vaiko seeks opportunity to speak for the people in Parliament

MADURAI: Unlike the usual election campaign of mudslinging or criticism levelled against the opponents, the campaign of Vaiko, general secretary of Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) was plain and simple. Wherever he went he had this straightforward message to the voters: "Give me a chance to speak for you at Parliament in Delhi. I don't want to blame anyone or the parties here. I have worked for the state and cause of the state's people when I was in power as well as without it."

Vaiko initiated his campaign at Silaiman bordering Madurai district that falls under Virudhunagar Lok Sabha constituency on Sunday. Along with his partymen and allies especially the DMDK and BJP cadre, Vaiko addressed gatherings at 21 places from Silaiman to Valayankulam that falls under the Tiruparankundram assembly constituency.

At Silaiman, he said that his cadre offered him a garland of Vagai flowers - the flowers meant for Pandya Kings - expressing his imminent victory. "It was on this day Bhagat Singh, Sukdev and Rajaguru were hanged to death and it is only fitting to start the campaign," he said.

He expressed confidence that Narendra Modi is sure to win the elections and form the government. But we need to send more MPs to the Parliament and make them win so that the Centre will be grateful to the state, he told the people in L K T Nagar where a significant Sourashtrian community people live.

With all the villages from Silaiman to Iravathanallur situated on the banks of Vaigai river, Vaiko stressed on the importance of safeguarding Mullaperiyar dam, the lifeline of Vaigai and said that there is danger since the Kerala government is keen on demolishing it. "The entire stretch of Vaigai will become a desert if it has to happen," he warned the people in Viraganoor.

His agenda also included the cause of Tamils in Sri Lanka and the closure of Tasmac outlets in the state. "There are no liquor shops in Modi's Gujarat," he told the people. "The Tasmac culture should end for the welfare of the families which is the reason I walked for 1,200 km," he appealed to the womenfolk pointing out the evils of liquor. He also voiced concern for the Tamil fishermen who have been arrested by Sri Lanka.

In Iravathanallur, Vaiko said that he was contesting placing his trust on them. "Feel that each one of you is the candidate in Virudhunagar constituency," he told the DMDK and BJP functionaries. Among the cadre, the enthusiasm of the DMDK was quite visible though not much of PMK flags or functionaries could be seen around possibly due to the lack of the party presence in the region.