Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Friday said the AIADMK's election manifesto was a mere reproduction of the DMK's election promises and contended that it contained no trustworthy promises.
Starting his campaign for the Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) candidates at Thirupachethi near Manamadurai, he said the AIADMK manifesto released by its leader Jayalalithaa was nothing but a copy of the DMK manifesto released by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi a few days ago. But the people would believe only the DMK manifesto, as it had clearly proved during the last five years of rule that it would keep all its promises.
He said that it had also implemented a number of schemes that were not promised by the DMK leader. The Kalaignar Insurance Scheme, 108 ambulance service, Kalaignar Housing Scheme and others, which had received good support among the people, did not figure in the 2006 election manifesto of the DMK, he said.
Launching a scathing attack on Ms. Jayalalithaa, Mr. Stalin said her previous regime was a good example of misdeeds in governance. Almost all sections of people, including government employees, suffered a lot due to her “unfriendly” attitude. The people should recollect the misdeeds in her previous regimes before casting their votes.
He said details of the DMK manifesto had already reached every nook and corner of the State. If voted to power, the party would increase the marriage assistance from Rs.25000 to Rs.30000 and old age pension from Rs.500 to Rs.750.
It would also extend Rs.4 lakh revolving fund, which was Rs.2.5 lakh now, to self-help groups. The government subsidy component would be Rs.2 lakh in the revolving fund.
Mr. Stalin spoke at Thiruppuvanam, Thirupachethi, Manamadurai, Sivaganga and other places and canvassed votes for A. Tamilarasi, DMK candidate for Manamadurai constituency, and V. Rajasekaran, Congress candidate for Sivaganga constituency.
