Ministers’ team to steer AIADMK poll campaign in Vellore LS segment

The list includes 29 ministers, sitting and former MLAs, former MPs, State government’s special representative at New Delhi N Thalavai Sundaram apart from members of the various party organs. While six ministers have been appointed as in charge of Vellore and KV Kuppam segments, Gudiyattam and Vaniyambadi will have five ministers each. Ambur and Anaicut will be taken care of by four and three ministers respectively.

The party directive signed by coordinator O Panneerselvam and joint coordinator Edappadi K Palaniswami has asked all the listed members to descend on the assembly segments allotted to them, stay there and campaign to ensure the victory of NDA candidate AC Shanmugam.

Accordingly, Labour Minister Nilofer Kafeel along with three ministers will campaign in Vaniyambadi constituency. Vellore east district secretary and Arakkonam MLA S Ravi and west district secretary and Commercial Taxes Minister KC Veeramani will be in charge of their respective districts. This means Ravi would work only in KV Kuppam assembly segment that falls under the east district as remaining five segments come under west district.

It may be noted that the last time, former minister VS Vijay was in charge of Vellore assembly segment and Veeramani was given control of remaining five seats. More ministers were involved in the poll campaign this time due to the defeat in Ambur and Gudiyattam assembly by polls, said sources. “The aim is to win the election failing which the DMK would claim the AIADMK was routed in April 18 elections due to anti-incumbency,” they added.