Jayalalithaa's '51-in-One' Rally At DMK Stronghold In Tamil Nadu

Salem: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, who has drastically cut short her public appearances, campaigned for next month's polls today with a "51-in-one" - 51 candidates paraded in one mega rally in Salem, a stronghold of her rival DMK.

The AIADMK candidates sat on a lower level while Ms Jayalalithaa, revered as "supreme leader", sat alone on the stage, at a special chair and desk that follows her everywhere.

The traditional seating arrangement for all Jayalalithaa rallies was derided by DMK leader MK Stalin, who mimicked the AIADMK leaders with his head bent and hands folded at a party workers' meeting on Monday. "Candidates are treated like slaves," Mr Stalin remarked to his party men.

Sources in the ruling party say there is nothing unusual about the Chief Minister campaigning for multiple candidates in one rally, but they admit the numbers have grown this year.

Tamil Nadu votes for a new 234-member assembly on May 16. On Monday, Ms Jayalalithaa - Amma to her mass of supporters - campaigned for 18 candidates in one rally and on Friday, she covered 14.

Jayalalithaa temporarily stopped public appearances as she was released on bail after being convicted of corruption. Her prolonged MIA status sparked speculation about her health.   

This time, the Chief Minister is fighting alone in the polls, without any allies.

Her critics say she is banking on "Amma" freebies worth Rs 21,650 crore, not counting subsidies. These include laptops, mixer-grinders, saris, wedding funds, gold coins, goats, cows, baby kits, weighing machines, school kits, mobile phones and cycles.

Since 2011, the state's debts have increased by 80 per cent and it has gone from revenue surplus to deficit, says the DMK.