Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president M. Karunanidhi on Sunday criticised Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for blaming the DMK regime for electricity shortage in the State.
Referring to Ms. Jayalalithaa's speech during her campaign on Saturday in the Pudukottai Assembly constituency, Mr. Karunandihi, in a statement, refuted her charge and said that after the DMK came to power in 2006, several industrial units were established. Hence, the demand for electricity had substantially increased.
Had the AIADMK regime taken steps during its tenure in 2001-2006, the power crisis would have been averted and the people would not be facing hardship now.
On her criticism of the DMK for boycotting the by-election, Mr. Karunanidhi said his party's decision was in response to the ruling party's act of deploying all its Ministers besides taking the assistance of police.
Money power also used before the announcement of poll date, he alleged.
Stating that the poll boycott was not a new factor, he said even the AIADMK had boycotted by-elections on several occasions.
He criticised the Election Commission for turning a blind eye to the Chief Minister's statement in her campaign that the government had sanctioned Rs. 50 crore to Pudukottai Municipality.
