CUDDALORE: DMDK general secretary Premallatha Vijayakanth, who filed her nomination papers on Monday to contest from Vridhachalam assembly constituency in Cuddalore district, said history would repeat itself after 20 years. “History is repeating itself after 20 years. Just as ‘Captain’ won in 2006 and made this a model constituency, I will work tirelessly to ensure Vridhachalam becomes the best constituency in the state,” she said.She said Vridhachalam holds a deep emotional significance for the party, as it was the seat where the late DMDK founder marked his spectacular electoral debut in 2006. Invoking the memory of both political and spiritual icons, Premallatha said she filed her papers with the blessings of Lord Viruthagireeswarar and Lord Kolanjiappar, as well as the “divine blessings” of late chief minister M Karunanidhi and Vijayakanth.“I am standing here as a candidate of the Secular Progressive Alliance. Across Tamil Nadu, our winning candidates are filing their nominations today, and I extend my best wishes to all of them for a grand victory,” she said.The centrepiece of Premallatha’s campaign is a long-standing local demand. She pledged that her priority upon winning would be to urge DMK president M K Stalin, whom she referred to as the “soon-to-be chief minister for a second term,” to declare Vridhachalam as a separate district.“Vridhachalam is not just a constituency; it is etched in our breath and hearts. I will fulfil all the unfinished tasks ‘Captain’ left behind for this soil,” she promised.Premallatha highlighted the political significance of joining forces with the DMK, describing it as a union that many had desired for years. “The alliance between DMDK and DMK should have happened when ‘Captain’ and ‘Kalaignar’ (Karunanidhi) were with us. Though delayed, it has finally happened now. This is the alliance the people want and celebrate,” she remarked.She claimed that the response from the public indicates a “magnificent victory” for the coalition. She outlined a rigorous 10-day campaign schedule centred in Vridhachalam. She said she would spend the next three days in the constituency before travelling to other constituencies to support alliance candidates across the state. Premallatha said she would return to Vridhachalam for an intensive door-to-door campaign from April 18 to 21.
