Chennai: AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa may be out of action being hospitalised but the 'Amma' brand is the centrepiece of the ruling party's campaign in the November 19 polls to three assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu.
Forced to face the polls with the Chief Minister remaining in hospital for more than a month now, AIADMK is depending on the slew of welfare schemes launched by her to woo the voters of Aravakkurichi, Thanjavur and Thirupparankundram segments as it seeks to maintain its winning streak.
Jayalalithaa, who guided her party to record back-to-back assembly poll victories in the state besides the sweep in 2014 Lok Sabha elections, is being treated at the Apollo Hospital since her admission on September 22 last.
In contrast, the principal opposition DMK is targeting the government for being in a "limbo" on several issues including problems faced by Cauvery delta farmers.
The filing of nomination by the AIADMK candidates became an issue after Jayalalithaa's left thumb impression, instead of her signature, was affixed in their poll papers endorsing them as the party's official nominees.
A PIL moved in the Madras High Court questioning this was, however, dismissed with the Election Commission submitting that the thumb impression had been attested as per its order.
Besides local issues, the recent deaths of two farmers, who had allegedly faced crop failures, in Thiruvarur district, insufficient Cauvery water in the delta region for Samba paddy crop, non-payment of arrears by sugarcane mills to cane growers are being highlighted by the opposition.
Both AIADMK and DMK have deployed their top rung leaders, and senior functionaries drawn from the entire state to campaign in the three constituencies.
While Aravakkurichi and Thanjavur are going to polls after the exercise was cancelled during the May assembly elections following alleged corrupt practices, a byelection is being held in Thiruparankundram due to the death of AIDAMK MLA.
With People's Welfare Front comprising MDMK, CPI, CPI(M), and VCK boycotting the polls, the contest is mainly between AIADMK and DMK though BJP, PMK, and DMDK too are in the fray.
PMK is not contesting in Thirupparankundram as it was not alloted the mango symbol in that Assembly segment.
Finance Minister O Panneerselvam, who has been allocated portfolios of Jayalalithaa, his cabinet colleagues, MPs, and MLAs have been campaigning by AIADMK.
Similarly, DMK, whose campaign is led by its Treasurer M K Stalin, too has deployed its key functionaries, MPs and MLAs and involved all its district units in the poll work.
AIADMK's IT wing has embarked on new initiatives for the polls. Motorbikes are mounted with LED screens on the pillion rider's seat and speakers are hung on either sides of the rear wheels.
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