Assailing the DMK and accusing it of nudging the Central government to stall Tamil Nadu’s economic progress for selfish ends, AIADMK leaders who spoke at the protest organised here by Anna Thozhirsanga Peravai (ATP), the party’s labour unit, came down heavily on former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi as being the cause for people’s sufferings in the State due to power and water shortages.
The DMK was hell bent on scuttling projects and funding by the Centre that have a bearing on the State’s economy, AIADMK MP P. Kumar said, addressing the protesters in front of the Khadi Kraft Office opposite to the railway junction.
He and other speakers, including urban district secretary Manoharan lambasted the Congress party for its inimical attitude towards party leader and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.
The DMK has failed to protect the interests of Tamil Nadu, Mr. Manoharan said, questioning why the party leader was mum on the reluctance of the Central government to notify the Cauvery Tribunal Order and to provide electricity to power-starved Tamil Nadu from the Central pool.
The speakers called upon the electorate to teach a fitting lesson to the DMK and the Congress by voting for AIADMK candidates in all the 40 constituencies of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
Members of the labour wing belonging to the transport department, BHEL, Ordnance Factory, and a few government undertakings took part in large numbers in the protest held under the leadership of State joint secretary of the ATP Thirugnanam. MLAs Paranjothi, Indira Gandhi, Poonachi, and Chandrasekar, and district unit functionaries of the ATP took part.
