If the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led Democratic Progressive Alliance is voted back to power, it will provide a permanent solution to the problems faced by the dyeing units in Tirupur, DMK president M. Karunanidhi said here on Wednesday.
Addressing a public meeting organised to campaign for the 21 candidates of the DMK-led alliance including those of the Congress and Kongunadu Munnetra Kazhagam (KNMK), from the districts of Coimbatore, Tirupur and the Nilgiris, he said that a solution could not be hammered out because of court orders. If given the mandate again, the DMK, with the help of the Centre, will find a permanent solution to the effluents problem.
To Congress leader A.R. Chinnayan's plea for a solution to the power crisis, Mr. Karunanidhi said the failure of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government during its 2001-06 regime in planning the future electricity requirements of the State pushed the State into a power crisis.
The generation and capacity remained static during that period, but the demand had increased manifold, he said.
During its next tenure, the DMK government would generate surplus power that could be lent to the neighbouring States.
Cattle feed at subsidised rates
Responding to some of the demands placed before him, Mr. Karunanidhi said that on assuming power for the sixth term with the mandate of the people, the DMK Government would take steps to provide cattle feed at subsidised rates for the dairy sector, high quality inputs for coconut growers and incentives for solar and wind power producers.
Comparing the election manifesto of the DMK with that of the AIADMK, Mr. Karunanidhi said the DMK's promises were realistic and achievable. But, the AIADMK's manifesto sounded as though its general secretary Jayalalithaa would “bend the sky into a bow”.
He recalled the harassment meted out to government servants and teachers during her rule in the name of “taming government employees”.
Referring to Ms. Jayalalithaa's charges of corruption against the DMK and its allies, Mr. Karunanidhi wanted her remember the disproportionate assets case against her pending before a special court in Bangalore. “Citing punctuation marks and lack of clarity in translation of the charge sheet, Ms. Jayalalithaa had sought adjournment after adjournment”.
The delay caused by her in the progress of the case was only to ensure that the verdict came after the elections to the State Assembly. If the verdict had come on time, Ms.Jayalalithaa would have been exposed once again before the voters, he said.
Book on Dheeran Chinnamalai
Mr. Karunanidhi agreed to the request of KNMK president Best S. Ramasamy's to write a book on Dheeran Chinnamalai and even have a film produced on the lines of Ponnar Shankar . The proceeds of the venture would be donated for the welfare of the working class and poor people of this region, he said.
He wound up saying “I am not seeking votes for the sake of becoming Chief Minister but for an opportunity to serve the people”.
