People voted for AIADMK govt to continue, says Palaniswami

Speaking to reporters in Salem, Palaniswami said that people voted with enthusiasm hoping for the AIADMK government to continue. 

“The AIADMK has bright chances to win in both Parliamentary polls and Assembly by-elections. Salem recorded 77 per cent of votes in the last Lok Sabha polls. This time, it has increased to 77.39 per cent. People turned up in large numbers to vote in Salem constituency as the AIADMK government is performing well,” said the Chief Minister. 

Palaniswami also said that AIADMK candidates for Sulur, Aravakurichi, Tiruparankundram and Ottapidaram Assembly constituencies to face by-polls on May 19 will be announced soon. 

On complaints of inadequate bus services for voters on polling day, the Chief Minister said that additional buses could not be operated as Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was in place for the elections. 

“As there was extended leave for the weekend, a large number of people travelled to their hometowns from main cities. Such issues will be addressed in future. Buses, which were already in place continued as such on their regular routes,” he said. 

To a query on the AIADMK continuing with the same alliance, Palaniswami said that the present alliance may continue. On strong winds destroying crops, the Chief Minister said that the extent of damage caused by winds is yet to be estimated. “The damage caused by winds will be studied and farmers would be compensated after discussions with Ministers and senior officials on this issue,” he said. 

The Chief Minister, who voted in his native village on Thursday, left to Chennai by flight from Salem airport on Friday. He was accompanied by MLAs Venkatachalam and Vetrivel.