DMK leader flays CM’s Pudukkottai visit, targets Vijayabaskar

Chennai: Senior DMK leader S Regupathy alleged on Thursday that Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s recent official visit to Pudukkottai district was “disappointing as no significant new welfare projects were announced for the region”. He also accused former minister Dr C Vijayabaskar, who joined the ruling TVK after resigning as AIADMK MLA from Viralimalai in June, of allegedly distributing “Deepavali gifts” anticipating a by-election to his constituency.

Speaking to reporters here, Regupathy said the chief minister’s visit to Pudukkottai was “a complete failure” as it allegedly left people of the district deeply disappointed. “No significant welfare schemes or developmental projects were announced for the welfare of Pudukkottai,” Regupathy alleged. He further claimed that the official event was held at a government office conference hall rather than at a major public venue, alleging that the decision was driven by advice from an astrologer.

Regupathy alleged that local authorities went to extreme lengths by postponing the semester examinations at a government women’s arts and science college in the area specifically so that students could be encouraged to participate in the CM’s programme. Further, he alleged that shopkeepers near the central bus stand were forced by police to shut down their businesses for the event.

Turning to Vijayabaskar, the DMK leader alleged that he distributed cash, goods, and “Diwali gifts” to nearly 90,000 ration cardholders across Viralimalai constituency in an attempt to influence voters well ahead of the by-elections.

“This is a form of early campaigning and voter inducement ahead of the next election,” Regupathy said. There was no immediate response from TVK or Vijayabaskar to these allegations.

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The Hans India