Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Wednesday slammed his detractors saying that their “conspiracies” to pull down the government and break the AIADMK will only remain daydreams as people wanted the ‘Amma’ regime to continue.
Addressing the MGR centenary celebrations in Nagapattinam district, Mr. Palaniswami, in an apparent taunt aimed at sidelined AIADMK (Amma) leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran, said those without grassroots connect were building castles in the air presuming that people would believe them.
“They are not only destroying themselves, but also ruining others,” he said, calling for an end to such acts.
In the same vein, Mr. Palaniswami also criticised DMK leader M.K. Stalin who had accused him of politicising government functions. “This is not true. We are forced to answer when they routinely find fault with the government,” he said.
The charge, Mr. Palaniswami said, was borne out of “jealousy” over the goodwill that the government has earned among people by implementing welfare schemes, he claimed.
It was natural for any political party in power to trace its origin and talk about the reach of schemes it had rolled out.
“I have records of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi speaking even more elaborately about their works when in power. Why should Mr. Stalin get angry when I speak about welfare schemes,” Mr. Palaniswami wondered.
Seemingly buoyed by the huge audience, Mr. Palaniswami claimed that the crowd turnout testified to the success and achievements of the government over the last seven months. The kudimaramathu scheme, in particular, was a runaway success.
The government will continue to stick to the path laid by MGR and Amma, he said.
The Chief Minister announced on the occasion that the Tamil Nadu Fisheries University will be named after former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and its affiliated college and the Government Arts and Science College at Sirkazhi after the party founder MGR.
Major projects unveiled
After launching 43 projects involving an investment of over ₹100 crore in the district, Mr. Palaniswami also unveiled major projects for development of agriculture and fisheries sector at an estimated expenditure of ₹960 crore.
In his address, Deputy Chief Minister O. Paneerselvam said, “We will not succumb to the machinations of the enemies.”
Assembly Speaker P. Dhanapal presided over the function. Textiles Minister O.S. Manian and Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M. Thambi Durai also addressed the gathering.
