Chennai: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday stepped up his attack on DMK govt’s alleged failure to maintain law and order, even as he sought to blame the ruling party for corruption and dysnatic politics.Campaigning in Sivakasi, Palaniswami held up a white tshirt which he said was gifted by a group of girl children. Reading out messages written on it — “Only AIADMK govt can ensure women’s safety” and “DMK should not return to power,” EPS said even young girls are gripped by concerns over safety. He urged voters to back the AIADMK front to “guarantee safety for all.” He also accused the DMk govt failing to act decisively against drug peddling. Palaniswami said AIADMK would eradicate ganja and other contraband within three months of assuming power. Palaniswami also sought to flag pending development projects, accusing DMK of stalling the ₹14,000 crore Cauvery–Gundar river linking project. He said the scheme would be revived if AIADMK returns to power, benefiting districts like Virudhunagar where he was campaigning. “By stalling the project, DMK has shown it is against farmers,” he said. Palaniswami later campaigned in Ramanathapuram district, touching upon the same issues. Meanwhile, he announced the appointment of senior party functionaries as election in-charges for constituencies where AIADMK has fielded candidates, signalling the party’s effort to streamline campaign management at the grassroots level as the election approaches.
