NTK Critiques DMK Government Ahead of Erode East By-elections

Chennai, Jan 28 (NationPress) Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) Chief Coordinator and actor-turned-politician, Seeman, unleashed a fierce critique of the ruling DMK government during a campaign rally for the Erode East bypolls.

At a public meeting endorsing NTK candidate K. Seethalakshmi, Seeman lambasted the DMK for failing to address essential needs like food and water, cautioning that such disregard could incite revolutions similar to those seen in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Seeman charged that the DMK is focused on distribution schemes, such as mobile phones and vehicles, while ignoring critical issues like hunger.

He claimed that the DMK has betrayed the Tamil people, noting that the party, under M. Karunanidhi, remained inactive during the Sri Lankan civil war.

Emphasizing the unfulfilled commitments in the DMK’s election manifesto, Seeman highlighted concerns such as property tax and electricity rate increases that have gone unaddressed.

He also condemned the government for excessively depending on liquor sales for revenue, asserting they lack alternative income strategies.

Seeman assured constituents that NTK stands as the sole party equipped to tackle the issues faced by the people of Tamil Nadu, pledging to create improved job opportunities.

He committed to abolishing the Parandur airport project if NTK gains power. He urged voters to perceive NTK’s success in Erode East as a triumph for the Tamil national identity, stressing the significance of the by-election in initiating a "political revolution".

The NTK has been actively conducting door-to-door campaigns since January 21, following the assignment of the ‘Mike’ symbol by the Tamil Nadu Electoral Commission.

NTK candidate K. Seethalakshmi expressed optimism about the party’s prospects, stating that the symbol has already garnered public recognition, facilitating their campaign efforts for the Erode East bypolls. The bypolls were necessitated due to the passing of Congress MLA EVKS Elangovan, who had secured the seat in a 2023 by-election after the death of his son, Thirumahan Everaa.

In 2023, Elangovan triumphed over AIADMK’s K.S. Thenarassu by a margin of 66,233 votes. This time, both the AIADMK and BJP have chosen to withdraw from the contest, positioning DMK and NTK as the primary competitors among 46 candidates.

The DMK has nominated V.C. Chandhirakumar, its propaganda committee state joint secretary, as its candidate.

DMK Youth Wing leader and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin is spearheading campaign efforts for the ruling party. In the 2023 by-elections, NTK’s candidate, Menaka Navaneethan, received 10,827 votes.

Despite the absence of strong opposition from AIADMK or BJP, the DMK is leaving no stone unturned to achieve a decisive victory.

The Erode East by-election is scheduled for February 5, with vote counting set for February 8.