Chennai: Actor-turned-politician Khushbu, a star candidate of the Bharatiya Janata Party is hell-bent on making its presence felt in Tamil Nadu. Khusbhoo is pitted against DMK candidate and patriarch Karunanidhi’s grandson Udhayanidi Stalin in the Chepauk-Triplicane constituency.
She has been active and hectic on her campaign trail in Thousand Lights, smiles lighting up her face, soliciting for voters’ support and holding her own even in the face of embarrassing moments. Amid her busy rounds, she spoke to the ETV Bharat and exuded confidence that she would win in this election.
Asked about her strong rival DMK candidate, she said that a strong competitor can be defeated through persistent efforts and perseverance and she welcomes the fight.
As for the major problem that the constituency is facing, she said water, drainage, and non-burning street-lamps are the vital issues in Thousand Lights.
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"If I win the elections, I will surely take steps to solve all these problems," she said.
Responding about her election planks, Khushbu said while she is focusing on the AIADMK government’s achievements, its welfare projects for the poor people and the ruling party’s electoral promises, she is also harping on the BJP-led Central government’s welfare schemes in the past six years which have benefited Tamil Nadu. She observed that the BJP is receiving a good reception from the Tamil Nadu people.
She is trailed by scores of people in the constituency. The actor is a well-known face and she has politically got good support from the allied party too is the major crowd-pulling factor. Hence, a lot of limelight sheds on her, opined analysts.
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But the DMK candidate Dr Ezhilan, though credited with being a good thinker, has not received as much spotlight.
The constituency of Thousand Lights is home to the poor and the downtrodden in large numbers and also Muslims and Scheduled Castes.
It is to be noted that it was the DMK candidate Selvam who won this constituency in the 2016 Assembly elections and yet, he has recently switched over to the BJP.
The large crowds that follow her close on the heels thanks to her cinema popularity and her candidature backed up by the most influential and strong national party BJP coupled with the support of the ruling party in the State, AIADMK, are her major plus points that her rival seems to be lacking in.
But the moot question is whether these crowds and establishment backing can translate into solid votes enough to catapult her to the status of a legislator.
