Former Tamil Nadu minister and DMK leader V Senthilbalaji has categorically dismissed speculation about his candidacy in the upcoming Coimbatore assembly elections. He affirmed his commitment to the people of Karur, who have consistently supported him, and declared the DMK's ambitious goal to secure victory across all ten constituencies in the Coimbatore district.
Clarifying Rumors and Setting Electoral Goals
Addressing the media in Coimbatore on Saturday after chairing a consultative meeting with district functionaries, Senthilbalaji put to rest the rumors of him contesting from Coimbatore. He emphasized that his political base remains in Karur, where the electorate has repeatedly elected him. Shifting focus to the party's broader strategy, he stated, "As far as Coimbatore is concerned, our goal is to win all 10 constituencies."
The meeting focused on crucial electoral preparations. Senthilbalaji revealed that party workers had been provided with the draft Supplements and Integrated Roll (SIR) list and were instructed to meticulously verify it. Their task is to identify any eligible voters who may have been omitted and to flag any ineligible names that might have been included.
Addressing Voter List Controversy and Political Criticism
A significant point of discussion was the reported removal of approximately 6.5 lakh voters from the draft electoral roll. Senthilbalaji adopted a cautious stance, noting, "Without proper examination, I cannot comment on it." However, he assured that measures would be implemented to reinstate all eligible voters whose names were wrongly deleted.
He strongly countered the allegations made by Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran, who claimed the removed votes were fraudulent entries favoring the DMK. Senthilbalaji posed pointed questions in response: "Why were these fraudulent votes not visible to the previous AIADMK government? How have the votes considered valid then become fraudulent votes now?"
Responding to criticism from TVK chief Vijay, the DMK leader offered a broader political analysis. He suggested that criticizing the DMK has become an essential tactic for any political party, whether new or established, to sustain its relevance in the state's political arena.
Upcoming Events and Local Issues
Senthilbalaji also announced a major upcoming party event. He said around 50,000 women from the ten assembly constituencies of Coimbatore district are expected to participate in the DMK women's wing conference. This conference is scheduled to be held in Palladam, Tirupur district, on December 29.
On being questioned about the ongoing garbage collection and waste management crisis in neighboring Tirupur, the former minister acknowledged the issue. He assured the public that appropriate measures would be taken by the concerned authorities to resolve the pressing civic problem.
The statements from the senior DMK leader underscore the party's focused preparations for the next electoral battle in western Tamil Nadu, while simultaneously tackling administrative concerns and political opposition.
