lok-sabha-elections

Updated: Mar 20, 2019 23:37 IST

The ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leaders launched their campaigns on Wednesday for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and 18 assembly seat by-polls.

Tamil Nadu, which holds 39 Lok Sabha seats, will go to polls on April 18.

While chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami began his campaign in his native district Salem, DMK president MK Stalin launched his campaign in Thiruvarur Assembly constituency, represented by father and former DMK president M Karunanidhi, who died last August.

On Tuesday, both parties launched their manifestos, which included a slew of common promises including a push to recognise Tamil as a co-official language in all central facilities in the state, education to be moved from concurrent to the state list, and the release of those convicted for the assassination of former PM Rajiv Gandhi.

Deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam, who is also the AIADMK coordinator, launched his campaign from Madurai, the party’s traditional stronghold.