CHENNAI: Describing the AIADMK’s victory in the Sankarankoil bypoll as one on expected lines, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa said on Wednesday that the people of the Assembly constituency had always stood by her ever since she became leader of the party.“Even during the period of trials and tribulations, the people of Sankarankovil constituency have never let us down”, said a beaming Jayalalithaa, while talking to media persons at Vaanagaram after presiding over the weddings of seven couples from the families of party functionaries.Asked if the thumping margin in the by-election, which the AIADMK had faced all alone, had shown that it was the AIADMK that gave a winning edge to other parties in its alliance in the Assembly elections, Jayalalithaa laughed and said: “You have said all that I have to say....” When a scribe asked what had happened to those who had challenged her in the Assembly, she said, “You have to pose this question to them.... the people of Sankarankoil have given a befitting reply to those who have posed a challenge.” In a statement later, she said: “My sincere thanks to the voters. I promise that the faith reposed on me by the Sankarankoil voters will not go waste. All facilities will be provided to the people of that constituency to enable them to lead a comfortable life.”When asked for her views on the continuing agitation at Koodankulam, Jayalalithaa said: “I have given a detailed statement already. I have explained that the plant is safe and that there will be no danger to the people and the environment. We have also stated that a package for the infrastructure and other long felt needs will be implemented at a cost of `500 crore.Meanwhile, Muthuselvi will take oath as the member of the State Assembly on March 22 at the Chamber of Speaker D Jayakumar. The present strength of the various political parties in the Assembly is as follows: AIADMK — 150 (including the Speaker), DMDK 29, DMK 23, CPI-M 10, CPI 9, Congress 5, PMK 3, MMK 2, PT 2, AIFB 1 and Nominated Member 1.
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