AIADMK-led front will be defeated, claims EVKS

On his chances of achieving a victory in Theni, where he faces a strong challenge from both the AIADMK and AMMK, the former TNCC president expressed hope that the electorate would extend its support as he had a strong relationship with the people of Tamil Nadu.

He, however, said that he had expressed his interest to contest either from Erode or Tirupur constituency. “Since the seats were allotted to alliance partners, the party has selected me to contest from Theni.”

When asked about his criticism of the late AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa, Elangovan said it was not a personal attack. “I only retaliated in response to Jayalalithaa’s criticism of former Congress president Sonia Gandhi. However, I respected her as she made remarkable achievements during her lifetime,” he said, adding that his nomination papers would be filed on Monday.

The Congress leaders also said that no project, be it the Indian Neutrino Observatory (INO) or any other, harming the interest of people would be allowed.