The people of even the rural areas, in particular women, are aware of the salient features of the manifesto of both the rival fronts, thanks to freebies galore in them.
Though various organisations and leaders of different walks of life have come out severely against the freebies saying that it will ruing the whole society, it is these freebies which have attracted the voters of both urban and rural areas. Women showed scant respect for the election manifestos in the past. But now, they are well aware of each and every aspect of these manifestos.
“Yes we are aware of the freebies announced by Amma”, say a group of cooli workers at Atthipallam village in Viralimalai constituency in Pudukottai district.
“Amma has promised a fan, a mixie and a grinder as freebies to all women, four grams of gold, in addition to Rs. 25,000 as marriage assistance, six months of maternity leave along with Rs.12,000 assistance, provision of free houses powered by solar energy. This has gladdened all women and she will be the victor”, says Anjalai with total confidence.
“If Amma returned to power, we will get goats and this will positively help in improving the rural economy. Only rural people like us will know the significance of this scheme”, says Jaya.
Anjalai and Jaya along with other cooli workers who were taking rest under the shade of a tree on the road side in the midst of their day’s work in the nearby fields, are aware of the DMK’s manifesto too.
In particular they referred to the concrete housing scheme and said that it has dragged them into serious debts. “The DMK claims that they have not increased the bus fare. This is not true. The bus fare has been hiked silently and the regular travellers are aware of this”, pointed out P. Ponnan.
P. Tirupathi also of the same village, said that the DMK government had implemented many welfare measures and the continuation of the same have been assured in the present manifesto.
R. Latha of Varuthakonpatti village in Manapparai constituency, never attached any importance to the manifestos in the past. But the DMK manifesto of the 2006 elections attracted all sections of the society. Hence, she was eagerly awaiting the DMK manifesto this time. The continuation of the Rs. One per kg rice scheme, free rice to the people belonging to below poverty line, the concrete housing, strengthening the 108 ambulance scheme, will really fetch votes for the DMK, she says.
