The ensuing Assembly elections are not just about ushering in a change of government but also liberating the people of Tamil Nadu from “slavery,” said AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa here on Thursday.
In a blistering attack on hitting the campaign trail from Srirangam, her constituency, she said: “Over the last five years you have been facing various problems. Paramount among them is price rise. But, the DMK government, despite being part of the Union government, has not taken any steps to check price rise or solve any of your problems.”
The government had only contributed to the price rise. Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi supported the move to allow oil companies to fix the price of petrol and diesel. Over the last one year, the price of petrol was increased nine times by Rs.15 a litre.
Ms. Jayalalithaa, who started her campaign at Veeraswaram, criss-crossed thorough fares of the island town to address wayside meetings. At Raghavendra Arch, in front of the Rajagopuram of the Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple, she spoke from the roof top of her campaign vehicle, using a hydraulically lifted seat.
Making a comparison of the period during the pre-DMK government and the current price of various essential commodities and construction material, Ms. Jayalalithaa said the price of rice in the open market had gone up to Rs.42 a kg from Rs.15. The price of sugar went up to Rs.35 from Rs.13 a kg. Prices of thuvar dhal, tamarind and garlic had also risen.
The price of a truckload of sand had gone up to Rs.13,000 from Rs.2,500, while the price of a bag of cement had increased from Rs.150 to Rs.280. Brick was being sold at Rs.6 a piece. “You can build a house only in your dreams,” she told the residents, many of whom had turned out on the streets to catch a glimpse of her.
Under the DMK regime, Tamil Nadu faced a decline on all fronts. Industrial and agriculture production went down. The economy became sick and unemployment rose. Power cuts, rather than power generation, had increased. If voted to power, the AIADMK would put an end to power cuts. There was no protection for the lives and property of the people under the DMK government. “Corruption is rampant and pervades all government schemes. The 2G scam has compromised national security.” The Chief Minister, she charged, was not able to get the final verdict of the Cauvery Tribunal gazetted. Nor could he get the Supreme Court order in the Mullaperiyar dispute implemented.
Ms. Jayalalithaa promised permanent solution to problems faced by people residing around Ranganathaswamy Temple in selling their land. She also promised permanent protection against flooding in the town and improvements to infrastructure and basic amenities in the temple town.
