ON CAMPAIGN TRAIL: Chief Minister Jayalalithaa greeting the AIADMK candidate, Mythili Thirunavukkarasu during her electioneering at Oli Mohammed Pettai in Kancheepuram on Tuesday.— Photo: V. Ganesan

CHENNAI: The All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary and Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, on Tuesday kicked off her party's campaign at the Kancheepuram Assembly constituency for the May 14 byelection, by flaying the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at the Centre for hiking the price of petroleum products.

She also criticised the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) for "failing to perform its democratic duty."

Addressing wayside public meetings at 10 places, including Oli Mohammed Pettai, Keezh Ambi and Thaamal, canvassing votes for the AIADMK candidate, Mythili Thirunavukkarasu, the Chief Minister said even as she had been working for 20 hours a day to achieve the goal of making Tamil Nadu the `numero uno' State in the country, the DPA parties had been making false claims outside the Assembly without showing any interest in taking part in constructive discussions.

She appealed to the electorate to "teach a fitting lesson" to the DPA parties, as the byelection at Kancheepuram had provided them a good opportunity.

She also urged them to vote for the AIADMK to ensure continuance of the State Government's achievements.

Taking a dig at the UPA Government, she said its "biggest achievement" was hiking the price of petrol, diesel and cooking gas thrice during the past one year of its existence.

Some of the DPA parties had joined the Government while some others had extended support to it from outside, she added.

Though the Centre had increased the price of diesel by Rs. 5.07 a litre, the State Government had not hiked the bus fare during this period, she pointed out.

DPA criticised

Ms. Jayalalithaa also came down heavily on the DPA partners with regard to their performance in the Assembly. She accused them of "disrupting the proceedings of the Assembly by indulging in loud protests." They also resorted to protests without even heeding the advice of the leaders of their legislature parties.

The DPA Members also staged walkouts from the House frequently. Staging demonstrations outside the Assembly, they also ridiculed the Speaker. Since the Opposition MLAs had no guts to face her reply to their arguments, they were keen to walk out of the Assembly and make empty claims, Ms. Jayalalithaa said.

Fulfilling promises

If elected, Ms. Mythili Thirunavukkarasu would strive to implement her election promises within one year, she said. Ms. Jayalalithaa said her Government had been fulfilling the promises given by the ruling party in the last Assembly elections.

She described the late S.S. Thirunavukkarasu, whose death had necessitated the byelection, as a loyal party worker right from 1972 when the late M.G. Ramachandran founded the AIADMK. Activists, carrying AIADMK flags and her pictures received her at the meetings.

The AIADMK flags, festoons and illuminated 'two leaves' symbol welcomed her during the campaign trail.

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