Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president M K Stalin entered the poll fray on Monday by filing his nomination papers from the Kolathur Assembly seat in Chennai for the April 23 polls.
After submitting his nomination, Stalin expressed confidence that the people of Kolathur would give him a decisive victory for the fourth consecutive time. Stalin had earlier won the Assembly elections from Kolathur in 2011, 2016 and 2021, maintaining a strong political hold over the constituency.
Soon after filing his papers, Stalin held a brief roadshow, waved to supporters and sought public backing. He also released a book highlighting his achievements and development works in the Kolathur constituency.
Accompanied by senior DMK leaders, including HR & CE Minister P K Sekar Babu, Stalin reached the designated election office and submitted his nomination on the first day of filing for the April 23 Assembly polls in the state.
The DMK has announced candidates for 164 constituencies. A day earlier, Stalin released the party’s election manifesto outlining its development vision and future goals.
The opposition AIADMK has fielded Chennai Corporation councillor P Santhanakrishnan against Stalin, while actor-politician Vijay’s TVK has nominated V S Babu, making the contest in Kolathur a triangular fight.
Stalin has consistently focused on developing the constituency, turning Kolathur into what the party describes as a model constituency. Infrastructure projects, welfare schemes, better schools and improved public amenities have remained his priority areas.
The Rs 4.75 crore ‘Mudhalvar Padaipaggam’, launched in Kolathur, is a flagship initiative functioning as a government-run co-working and learning hub for entrepreneurs, students and competitive exam aspirants.
Modern library-cum-co-working spaces were also set up at Periyar Nagar and Jawahar Nagar at a cost of Rs 4.75 crore. A modern market complex worth Rs 19.30 crore was recently inaugurated on Paper Mills Road, providing 74 commercial shops along with lifts and parking facilities for local traders.
Other initiatives include an IoT-based monitoring and odour control system for sewage pumping stations, a women’s gymnasium in Jawahar Nagar, and construction of 840 housing units at Gowthamapuram, among several development projects completed in the constituency.
Launching his campaign immediately after filing the nomination, Stalin said he was confident of securing another massive mandate from the voters of Kolathur. “I am witnessing a huge support. Compared to the previous three occasions I am sure this time my margin of victory will be huge due to the massive support from the people,” Stalin told mediapersons.
He also expressed confidence that the DMK would win more than 200 seats, adding that the party’s campaign strategy would be as effective as in the previous Assembly election.
Tamil Nadu has a total of 234 Assembly constituencies.
Also read: TVK unveils candidate list; Vijay to contest from two seats
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