Amid charges of big-time corruption, Tamil Nadu is set for assembly elections Wednesday, its result bound to cast a shadow on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's ruling coalition.The main battle is as usual between the two Dravidian giants — the ruling DMK and the main opposition AIADMK, each heading carefully crafted umbrella groupings of their own.
AIADMK leader and former chief minister Jayaram Jayalalithaa is exuding confidence after pre-election surveys predicted a sweeping win for her alliance.
Chief Minister and DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi says the surveys are a media creation and that his party is sure of retaining power for five more years.
On Wednesday, around 4.59 crore voters will be eligible to pick 234 legislators from 2,748 candidates, including 141 women. There will be 54,016 polling booths. The DMK is seeking people's mandate for another term saying it fulfilled its 2006 electoral promises -- such as giving away free colour televisions and providing welfare measures including free medical insurance, ambulance service, rice at Re.1 a kilo and free houses to the needy.
It has promised more freebies if voted back to power. These include a grinder or mixer to all households, laptop to students, and free bus pass for senior citizens.
Jayalalitha, the star of the anti-DMK alliance, is harping on rising prices, power cuts, the spectrum scandal, and deteriorating law and order in Tamil Nadu.
The AIADMK has also promised freebies — fans, mixer-grinders for all households, laptop for school and college students, free rice, free bus passes for senior citizens and more.
Karunanidhi is seeking election to the assembly for a record 12th time and as chief minster for the sixth time. “The fulfilment of promises made in 2006 will see us through comfortably. At least one welfare scheme has reached every home,” MP T.K.S. Elangovan said.
—IANS