PMKs Murthy files papers for Mayoral poll

CHENNAI: PMK leader A K Murthy on Thursday filed his nomination to contest for the post of Chennai Mayor.A prominent PMK functionary, Murthy began his political career in 1983 with the Vanniyar Sangam, the precursor to the PMK. When the PMK was launched in 1988 after the successful agitations seeking reservation for Vanniyars in 1987, he became the party’s president for the T Nagar area.After a brief stint in the party’s south Chennai youth wing, he was appointed district secretary. He unsuccessfully contested in two assembly polls (1991, 1996).Elected to the Lok Saba in 1999 from the Chengalpattu parliamentary constituency, he became the Union Minister of State for the Railways in 2002. He held that position for 13 months till the PMK parted ways with the BJP. Again, in 2004 he was elected to the Lok Sabha.“Murthy pioneered a host of new schemes in the railway sector for Tamil Nadu, including 33 new train routes, construction of dozens of new rail over bridges besides many others,” said Anbumani Ramadoss.Speaking to Express, Murthy said he would bring real change to Chennai if elected. “After about an hour of rain of Thursday, you see people wading through knee deep water. This is Chennai after many regime changes and tall promises by the Dravidian parties,” he said.Seeking an opportunity, he said he would ensure purified drinking water to all the residents by putting up RO plants. “Excellent infrastructure, great roads and protected drinking water are among my promises to the people.”