People are etched in my heart forever: Jayalalithaa

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Sunday said people of her constituency were "etched" in her heart forever and asserted that her government implemented schemes only for the people's welfare unlike parties that have family interest, taking a dig apparently at arch rival DMK.

"I will never forget RK Nagar constituency in my lifetime and the people of this constituency are eternally etched in my heart," she said in her address launching many infra-projects and laying stone for a host of other initiatives.

Last year, she had won the seat in a bypoll by a huge margin of 1.5 lakh votes enabling her to take over as Chief Minister for the fifth time.

Jayalalithaa drove to RK Nagar to inaugurate the projects and referred to the huge gathering of people on both sides of the road to welcome her for the function in scorching sun, and said, "I was overwhelmed".

"The government headed by me which took over in 2011 has been formulating and implementing each and every scheme only for the welfare of the people," she said and listed schemes under Amma brand like Amma canteen, Amma drinking water and Amma salt.

Recounting an anecdote and without naming the DMK, she narrated how a person was furthering only his family interest and how another was fully committed to the welfare of the people.

"It was decided by the King (allusion to people) that the person (Jayalalithaa) who did not pursue self and family interests alone was fit to be his successor," she said.

"Like the second person in the tale, my government is implementing welfare and growth projects for the sake of people," she said taking a dig apparently at the DMK.

She reiterated that her government has ensured a "no-power cut situation" in Tamil Nadu, "changing the situation from many hours of power cuts."

Intense power outages were a key issue that chased the DMK during its 2006-11 tenure.

She launched a slew of infra projects and amenities like a modernised fishing harbour, slum clearance board tenements, railway overbridge, Amma Kudineer (Drinking water) Centre, and class rooms for Chennai Corporation-run School executed at a total cost of Rs 180.41 crore.

She also laid foundation stone for several projects at an estimated cost of Rs 193.26 crore. It includes hostel for backward class boys, a railway overbridge at Ennore-Manali Road, a government polytechnic college, and police quarters.