Karunanidhi, Jayalalithaa slug it out on polling day

Press Trust Of India

(April 13, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) While DMK president M Karunanidhi hinted at a possible coalition government, AIADMK's Jayalalithaa appealed to the voters to defeat the money power of the ruling alliance. She claimed that the Tamil Nadu government had refused to pay the daily allowance to security personnel on election duty and al

leged that the ruling DMK might create violence in the event of their absence.

DMK's possible coalition government is a key issue said to have been raised by long-time ally Congress as a post-poll arrangement.

"Our prospects are as bright as the Rising Sun (DMK's symbol) and we will win as many seats as we require to form government...It could either be our own or a coalition," he told reporters here after casting his vote.

During the tough seat-sharing bargaining between Congress and DMK, the national party is said to have made a strong pitch for a share in power. The Congress has been out of power in Tamil Nadu since 1967 when it was unseated by the DMK, then under party founder C N Annadurai.

On allegations of EC acting in a "biased" manner, the chief minister said, "As far as we are concerned, they acted harshly but I won't say they were partisan. A few people have been affected by the EC and I don't see anything wrong when they talk about that."

During his poll campaign, Karunanidhi had been critical of the Election Commission, saying that some of its officers were working like in "emergency times" with the intention of defeating his party and asked the Centre to consider what

powers the EC should be given in the future.

Deputy Chief Minister and Karunanidhi's son M K Stalin also sounded confident of a DMK sweep claiming that its front would win around 200 seats on the basis of the government's populist measures and the overall performance. After casting his vote here he told reporters that the Election Commission was not acting in a non-partisan manner and said his father Karunanidhi has reiterated the same.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters after casting her vote at a polling station here, Jayalalithaa appealed to the Election Commission to take cognisance of the issue and act accordingly.

"I have got information that the Chief Secretary is going to refuse or has already refused to pay the daily allowance of Rs 300 to the security personnel who are in Tamil Nadu for the Assembly polls", Jayalalithaa said.

She said since the government refused to pay their allowance, the over one lakh security personnel have planned to go on a strike today. "Taking this as cover, the DMK men may create violence and can cast bogus votes..., she alleged.

Jayalalithaa, who is contesting from Srirangam constituency, expressed confidence that her party along with alliance parties would win the polls and form the government.