Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) treasurer M.K. Stalin has assured the students community that the DMK, if voted to power in 2016 Assembly elections, would not scrap the schemes benefiting people, which are being implemented by the present government.
His assurance came while he was interacting with college students as part of his ‘Namakku Naame’ programme here on Wednesday. During the programme, a student expressed concern that the DMK and the AIADMK governments which had been ruling the State alternately, scrapped schemes implemented by the previous governments.
Mr. Stalin said that ahead of 1989 Assembly elections, a disinformation campaign was launched that the DMK, on coming to power, would scrap the noon meal scheme launched by late Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran. But when the DMK came to power, the then Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi added value to the scheme by providing eggs, he said. But the AIADMK refused to make use of the new Secretariat Complex since it was built during the DMK regime. Similarly, Anna Centenary Library, Asia’s biggest library which was built by the DMK government, was gathering dust after the AIADMK government tried in vain to convert it as a children’s hospital, he added.
Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project could not be implemented as the Jayalalithaa government had filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court against its implementation, he said.
Mr. Stalin assured the students that the DMK would establish ‘Lokayata’ on coming to power and provide a transparent, ‘corruption and commission-free’ government.
“Much closer”
About 150 students of engineering and arts and science colleges waited for more than two hours to meet the DMK leader here on Wednesday evening and they were delighted when he stepped in.
“Will you be so close with us after coming to power?,” asked an engineering student, and the marriage hall plunged into cheers when Mr. Stalin said “much closer,” gently hugging the student.
He mingled freely with the students and took them by surprise by shaking hands with them.
“I just can’t believe he is 60 plus,” exclaimed Srividya, a second-year student of a private college as Mr. Stalin entered the hall in a bright checked full sleeves shirt with sleeves rolled up and matching pants.
Six students were selected to interact with him, but Mr. Stalin allowed more than 25 students to air their views.
The programme scheduled for 30 minutes extended for about an hour as the students touched a wide range of issues including corruption, political vendetta, reservation policy and unemployment.
