Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Tuesday hit out at DMK leader M.K. Stalin and actor Kamal Haasan, saying their call for fresh elections in Tamil Nadu was unwarranted.
Addressing a meeting organised to celebrate the 69th birth anniversary of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, he said his government would complete its term without any hitch. Mr. Stalin and others were daydreaming of dislodging his government, he charged.
Referring to Mr. Kamal Haasan’s recent statements that elections must be held afresh, the Chief Minister mocked at him saying that wisdom had suddenly dawned on the actor only past 60 years of his age.
Mr. Palaniswami also criticised rebel AIADMK leader O. Panneerselvam, saying he was not loyal to the party.
Claiming that he remained a loyal worker of the party since 1974, he said, “The Chief Ministership is a gift for my loyalty and commitment towards the party.” The ruling party will win the bypolls in R.K. Nagar constituency, he added.
Expansion of scheme
The kudimaramathu scheme launched for renovating and rehabilitating the water bodies on Monday will be expanded soon. The government has proposed to make special allocation of ₹300 crore for this scheme alone.
Farmers’ groups will be involved along with the government machinery in the execution of the projects to ensure that the works are completed without any complaint.
Providing potable drinking water will prove to be a big challenge during the summer months as the entire State is reeling under severe drought conditions. The government has earmarked adequate funds for this purpose and has directed all the Collectors to take steps on a war footing to ensure proper distribution of drinking water in both urban and rural areas.
The State Highways Department has completed as many as 95 road development works in Salem district alone during the last regime, he added.
V. Panneerselvam, MP, G. Venkatachalam, MLA and secretary of the urban district unit of the party and others spoke.
Mr. Palaniswami distributed welfare assistance to more than 29,000 beneficiaries on the occasion.
