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Basic amenities top AMMK’s list of promises for N Chennai segment
While social media has become the favourite campaigning tool for both DMK and AIADMK, AMMK’s candidate from North Chennai constituency has restrained himself from using the boon of digital media. In an interview to DT Next, P Santhana Krishnan says he has not hired social media professionals and will not campaign on WhatsApp and Twitter.
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“I am from North Chennai and I know the pulse of my locality. I will ask votes only through door to door canvassing,” he said, also claiming he has an edge over DMK’s candidate Kalanidhi Veerasamy.
You have only 15 days to popularise the ‘gift pack’ symbol. How will you cover the entire constituency?
Our party started campaigning three months in advance when compared to AIADMK and DMK. Only the symbol has arrived late, but TTV Dhinakaran has already finished the first round of campaigning in North Chennai. Now, we are in the second phase, where the symbol will be popularised and the constituency will be covered.
How are you planning to the counter the popularity of DMK’s Kalanidhi Veerasamy, who is from the Arcot Veerasamy’s family?
I am not popular. But, Dhinakaran is. Public prefer grounded politicians and not elite offspring imported right ahead of the polls. I know the civic issues endemic to Washermanpet, Pulianthope, Royapuram, RK Nagar and Tiruvottiyur. The candidates fielded by DMK and DMDK are both outsiders.
The DMK is well organised and has fielded a spendthrift candidate. What are your views on them?
As a former Councillor and district secretary during the days of Amma, I can understand DMK’s poll strategies. I am poor when compared to DMK’s candidate, but he is new to politics and to the issues related to North Chennai. When Dhinakaran won R K Nagar bypoll, he was just an independent candidate, contesting under the AMMK outfit. Today, the outfit has developed into a full-fledged party with dedicated workers.
There is no excitement in your campaign rallies and the extravaganza is missing. Is this not a setback?
Our party has decided not to burst crackers, exchange shawls and use plastic flags. This is why our rallies are not colourful. We are focussed on door canvassing and our cadre are reaching out in every ward in north Chennai.
What are your promises for the North Chennai voters?
I am not promising fanfare developmental projects like highways and metro rail. There are other issues like drinking water scarcity, sewer overflows and effluent problems in Washermanpet and Ennore. Development of basic civic infrastructure including traffic decongestion and sanitation are my promises.
Currently, North Chennai is represented by AIADMK and it has several high-profile Assembly seats like RK Nagar and Kolathur. Will your campaign work there?
Three local factors are in my favour. Firstly, Dhinakaran has won by 40,000 seats in RK Nagar and the vote bank is intact for us. Then, our party candidate P Vettrivel will win in Perambur and improve the AMMK margin. In Royapuram, the campaign by AIADMK Minister Jayakumar will be in our favour due to double anti-incumbency and the recent audio leaks.
Traffic congestion and narrow roads are the perennial problems of North Chennai. What solution do you offer?
I don’t want major upgradation works like translocation of the public and major evictions. The existing roads can be widened and flyovers constructed.
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