Madurai (Tamil Nadu) [India], April 13 (ANI): Former Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president K Annamalai on Sunday campaigned in the Anna Nagar area of Madurai in support of NDA candidate and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader P Saravanan, who is contesting from the Madurai North Assembly constituency.

Earlier on Saturday, Annamalai campaigned for AIADMK candidate Amman K Arjunan from Coimbatore South constituency ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. He predicted a victory margin of at least 50,000 votes and launched a sharp attack on the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government over law and order issues.

Addressing the gathering, Annamalai alleged that 18 independent candidates linked to the DMK in Karur had been brought to Coimbatore to manage booths and create unrest.

'AIADMK candidate Amman Arjunan would win by a margin of at least 50,000 votes. In Karur, people were confined in large numbers and claimed that individuals from Karur had come to Coimbatore seeking space to engage in similar activities. He further accused that 18 independent candidates linked to the DMK in Karur had been brought in, allegedly to manage booths and create unrest, adding that all of them had been given a common notary arrangement,' he said.

He urged that such individuals should not be allowed into Coimbatore.

Annamalai claimed that people across Tamil Nadu have decided against the continuation of the DMK government and asserted that the NDA alliance would come to power. He also said that the political decline of V Senthil Balaji in Coimbatore South had begun and would extend further.

Highlighting law and order, he said that under the AIADMK regime, the situation was stable and had even been acknowledged by the Prime Minister. In contrast, he alleged that during the DMK rule, 2,080 sexual assault cases had been reported and over 30,000 cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. He stressed that the police must remain under proper control to ensure safety and freedom for citizens.

He described Coimbatore as the leading district in Tamil Nadu, claiming it generates more revenue than Chennai. He questioned why Chief Minister MK Stalin does not contest from Tiruvarur.

Continuing his criticism, Annamalai accused Stalin of labelling AIADMK as a 'slave party,' while asserting that AIADMK has come to power more times than the DMK. He also alleged that the DMK was dependent on the Congress and claimed legal cases were pending against Congress leaders. He remarked that DMK leader A Raja had been kept from speaking to avoid legal trouble.

Annamalai stated that there is no dynastic politics in the NDA alliance and contrasted it with the DMK. He referenced former Chief Minister CN Annadurai, saying those mentored by him are now working in public service, and claimed that the DMK stands in opposition to Annadurai's ideals.

The BJP leader further alleged that Senthil Balaji would not be able to return to Karur and would instead remain in Chennai. He urged voters to support Amman Arjunan and said that AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami should become Chief Minister for the welfare of the people.

He criticised Stalin for not speaking about his government's achievements and instead focusing only on election promises. He also made remarks against DMK MP Kanimozhi, accusing her of spreading misinformation about LPG cylinder shortages.

On economic issues, he alleged that the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (TASMAC) revenue had reached Rs 2.24 lakh crore over five years and claimed irregularities in pricing.

Reiterating his confidence, Annamalai concluded that Amman Arjunan would secure a definite victory.

At the end of the event, he also participated in a naming ceremony for a child born to a couple, naming the child 'Mithran Manisha.'

Tamil Nadu will go to the polls in a single phase on April 23, covering a total of 234 constituencies in the State. Counting of votes is scheduled for May 4. (ANI)