First off the blocks, AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa kicks of election campaign with a big rally in Chennai, reminds people of the Amma schemes and development TN has seen in five years.

AIADMK supremo and Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Saturday kicked off her campaign for re-election with a blistering attack against principal rival, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and its patriarch M Karunanidhi, saying that he was the one responsible for lifting prohibition in the state and was now talking of banning liquor.

Karunanidhi may even put it in his party manifesto because he knows he does not have to do it – as the DMK will not win and will not have to implement any election promises, said a confident sounding Jayalalithaa who drove to the venue at RK Nagar, the constituency she represents in the state assembly. “I will put in the manifesto only things I can do,| she said in her address promising that she too would tackle the problem of alcoholism in society.

Promising prohibition in phases, Jayalalithaa said total prohibition would be impractical and was something that cannot be done just with the sign of a pen. It required meticulous planning and determination to tackle the problem in a manner that would serve the society, she said.

Jayalalithaa said that her attention was on the problem alcoholism was causing and that she was determined to tackle it – by first reducing the timing of the sale of liquor, reducing the time the bars were open and then slowly shut down bars etc,” she said in her first election speech.

After Bihar announcing complete prohibition in the state, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK Supermo J Jayalalithaa has assured complete prohibition through phased manner in the state. She also promised more welfare measures if she is voted back to power.

Kicking off her campaign, she listed all the welfare measures – under Brand Amma – and steps taken in each constituency for different sections of society. In Chennai, she introduced all the 21 candidates for the assembly seats at the election meeting held at the Island Grounds.

Her election speech was telecast across the 21 constituencies in mobile vans. She said people voted out the DMK as they wanted to end one family rule and for a government that can take TN on a growth path.

She said she first addressed the power issue and said from power deficit state, now Tamil Nadu has become power excess state. Since 2011, 7486.5 mega watt of electricity has been added additionally to the Tamil Nadu power grid, said Jayalalithaa.

She then listed measures taken for welfare of women and listed out schemes which were implemented under ‘Amma’. She said all the promises she made during 2011 were fulfilled.

“We successfully kept the communicable diseases at bay. That’s our major victory during the Chennai floods. Crores of rupees have been spent for the benefit of flood-hit victims across all affected districts,” said Jayalalithaa

“My entire life has been dedicated to the welfare and betterment of you. Your happiness is my wish” Jayalalithaa said.

“Full prohibition not possible in one signature or overnight. It will be implemented in stages,” said Jayalaithaa. The strategy would be first reducing the timing of the TASMAC shops, reducing shops and bars and by taking other measures it will be achieved,” said Jayalalithaa.