While stating that the Congress and the DMK would continue their partnership in the interests of Tamil Nadu and India, AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday appealed to the people of Tamil Nadu to support the Democratic Progressive Alliance to further the development and socialistic agenda of the State for the next five years.
Addressing an election rally here, which was presided over by Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram, he said that Tamil Nadu was one of the most progressive States in the country. It had achieved an important place in industrial, textile, automobile sectors and information technology. A number of social welfare schemes were being implemented. It was leading in health care and higher education in the country.
Pointing out the active support provided by the Central Government to the State, Mr. Gandhi said that it had allocated Rs. one lakh crore to the State government in the last five years for its development. This was the largest amount sent to a State. “We are going to continue the partnership [Congress-DMK] for the development of Tamil Nadu as well as India.”
Appreciating the role played by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, Mr. Gandhi said that the people had to give credit to him for taking Tamil Nadu to the development path. Poor people had benefited a lot from the rule. It was implementing one kg rice at Re one to all family cardholders.
Listing out the achievements of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, in which the DMK was a partner, Mr. Gandhi said the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, which assured 100 days employment to the rural people, had been doing extremely well. Loans to the tune of Rs.70000 crore were waived for the farmers. Reiterating the commitment of the Congress party to provide reservation to women, he said the Congress would definitely implement 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and State Assemblies. There was already reservation for them at the panchayat level, considering the importance of women in nation building.
Highlighting the points made by Mr. Chidambaram, who described that India and Tamil Nadu had seen tremendous growth because of the partnership of the State and the Centre, Mr. Gandhi said that both UPA and DMK governments had common purpose and common ideas.
Mr. Chidambaram said the DMK government had implemented several schemes, including waiver of farm loans, free television sets for all, 108 ambulance service with Centre's support and construction of three lakh concrete housesK.V. Thangkabalu, TNCC president, Karti P. Chidambaram, AICC member, and candidates of DMK and Congress took part.
