The Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam will hold a hunger strike protesting the increase in prices of milk and bus fare, its founder Vijayakant said on Sunday. The date and venue of protest will be announced later.
Addressing a marriage function here, he found fault with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam for burdening the common man with the steep hike.
“People had voted (the AIADMK to power) for a change (‘maatram'), but they are now faced with disappointment (‘yemaatram'),” he said.
Disagreeing with Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's justification that the prices were increased only because the Centre did not give adequate funds, Mr. Vijayakant said the AIADMK had not sought votes from the people promising to seek funds from the Centre.
He said the AIADMK should have dared to announce the price rise before the local body elections.
“The AIADMK government is now making the same mistakes of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam regime,” the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly said.
Mr. Vijayakant said his party had allied with the AIADMK during the Assembly election with the aim of freeing the State from the clutches of a “family.”
“But, now it has gone under the control of a mob,” he said.
He came down heavily on Madurai Collector U. Sagayam, and Commissioner of Police P. Kannappan, alleging that they prevented his partymen from putting up banners in connection with his visit.
