Arch rivals AIADMK and DMK today held mass marriage functions in the western belt of Tamil Nadu, with top leaders from both parties-- K Palaniswami and MK Stalin, respectively, being present at the helm of affairs.
Palaniswami, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and AIADMK co-coordinator, and his Deputy O Panneerselvam solemnised the marriage of 86 couples as part of 70th birth anniversary celebrations of the late J Jayalalithaa.
The event was held at Thondamuthur to mark late Chief Minister's birthday and the brides and grooms were from "humble" families, the party said.
The beneficiaries comprised members from different faiths, and the two leaders blessed them and presented them with 'seervarisai', a set of essentials such as utensils.
In his address, Palaniswami said the weddings were held in lines with Jayalalithaa's wish that her birthday should act as an occasion to serve the poor.
He pointed out that the couples were Hindus, Muslims and Christians and that the respective beneficiaries got married as per the customs of their faith.
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"This itself shows the AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu is a secular one," he said.
He pointed out that Jayalalithaa had launched a 'gold for thali' (mangalsutra) scheme, where eight grams of the yellow metal is provided to poor women free of cost.
He also listed out the maternity benefits offered by the government, besides provision of a gift box for the newborn and the lactating mother.
At Erode, located about 100 km from Coimbatore, Stalin was the chief guest at a similar mass marriage, where 117 couples entered into wedlock.
Stalin, DMK Working President and Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, presented the 'thali' (Managalsutra) to a couple of bridegrooms to symbolise the wedding.
The respective events were held in the backdrop of the day being an auspicious one, mainly for conducting weddings.
In his address, Stalin said that the mass weddings, which he described as "auspicious", were held a day after the party's successful two-day conference in the town.
"This is an indication of more auspicious things to come," he said in an apparent reference to the party doing well in the political arena, probably the polls.
He extended his greetings to the newlyweds and wished they contributed their bit for the country.