Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Sunday advised the two communist parties to “think carefully” before criticising various schemes of the DMK government.
In a statement here, he alleged that CPI State secretary D. Pandian was making “cheap” demands instead of appreciating the Kalaignar Housing Scheme aimed at providing all-weather concrete houses to hut dwellers.
“Mr Pandian wants allocation of Rs. 3 lakh for each house, besides making a case for increasing the space,” the Chief Minister said, pointing out that it would cost Rs. 9000 crore per year if his demand was accepted.
At present, the government has fixed Rs. 75,000 per house, making a hike in the original allocation of Rs 60,000. The annual cost will be Rs. 2250 crore.
Mr. Karunanidhi said the CPI leader was making all these demands because he did not want the government to win appreciation for its welfare measures. “People understand his motives.”
To another query of Mr Pandian, the Chief Minister said 21 lakh huts would be replaced with concrete houses.
Mr. Karunanidhi also joined issue with former CPI (M) State secretary N. Varadarajan for his remarks that the DMK regime had become “the fountain of corruption.”
Recalling the representation made by Mr. Varadarajan seeking an inquiry into the allegations of land grabbing by AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa and her confidant Sasikala, he said the government immediately constituted a commission by Justice Sivasubramaniam.
Mr. Karunanidhi wondered why the communists were opposing the government after praising the functioning of the government and the announcements in the Governor's address.
“Have we grabbed the lands of Dalits? Have we purchased the TANSI lands? Have we invoked TESMA and ESMA against the government employees,” he asked.
