A Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) member's criticism of the previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government for tardy execution of Central-sponsored health schemes attracted hard questions from the ruling benches on Monday.
Participating in the debate on the demands for grants to the Health Department, M. Kalaiarasu (PMK) listed a number of schemes the previous DMK regime had failed to pursue properly.
Initially, Local Administration Minister K.P. Munusamy countered him, wondering why his party had chosen to align with the DMK in the Assembly elections, given the track record of the DMK government in the health sector.
When the PMK legislator replied that it was normal for political changes to happen, Housing Minister R. Vaithilingam retorted that political changes were different from realignment of parties and the return of the AIADMK to power was an instance of the political changes.
Mr. Kalaiarasu sought to respond saying that the changes in alliances were made in the interests of people, not for personal gains.
Chief Minister Jayalalithaa asked him when his party had come to know of the DMK government's performance in the health sector: was it before or after the polls?
The PMK member replied that he was fresh both to the House and to politics.
School Education Minister C. Ve. Shanmugam said that the PMK would keep on changing its position.
