Veerappan's widow to contest polls

Muthulakshmi will contest from the Pennagaram constituency as an independent candidate.

Forest brigand Veerappan's widow Muthulakshmi will contest Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu from the Pennagaram constituency as an independent candidate.

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This was announced at a meeting of the 'Special Task Force affected tribal people's forum' at Pennagaram near Dharmapuri on Wednesday.

Speaking at the meeting, Muthulakshmi assured that as an MLA, she would insist the Union government to constitute a 'General Commission' for the welfare of those affected during the combing operations conducted by the Special Task Forces and the Police to nab Veerappan.

Admitting that her husband had committed "mistakes" before law, she, however, claimed that he had helped the tribal population.

She said she would urge the Central and the state governments to implement at the earliest, the Hogennakkal Comprehensive Water Scheme, which would help tackle the water problem in Dharmapuri district.

Muthulakshmi also assured to uphold the rights of Tamil Nadu in the Hogennakkal boder issue with Karnataka.

She was introduced as a candidate by Pattali Makkal Katchi member and former Pennagaram panchayat union chairman, K Madhu.