Rather than promising measures that are vital to improve the quality of life of the people in Tamil Nadu, it is quite disconcerting that the two major Dravidian parties are finding it very convenient to woo voters through a slew of freebies and populist schemes unmindful of the debilitating impact on the State exchequer (“‘Free power’ charges up AIADMK manifesto” and “AIADMK manifesto draws fire”, both May 6). The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam might have started the freebie culture in the State, but it is the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam which played a key role in almost institutionalising it. Along with freebie culture, the very disturbing phenomenon of cash for votes has now emerged as a grave threat to electoral democracy in the State.
M. Jeyaram,Sholavandan, Tamil Nadu
There is no doubt that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa has gone a few steps ahead of the DMK’s M. Karunanidhi. However, let’s not blame them. Every political party, be it the TMC chief Mamata Banerjee with her ‘Kanyashree project’ or the AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal’s schemes, seems to adopt the freebie formula. I am unable to understand why the Supreme Court or even the Election Commission is unable to put an end to this culture.
Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee,Faridabad, Haryana
The finances of the Tamil Nadu government are in very bad shape. To add to this one has the transport corporations and electricity board reeling under huge losses. Unmindful of this, it defies financial logic how the AIADMK can announce freebies. This also does not take into account the loss of income when prohibition is introduced in stages. The freebies will impact financial management in the State which requires huge investment in development-oriented projects (“AIADMK has failed on many fronts: Sonia”, May 6).
N.S. Venkataraman,Chennai
Nowhere in the world are freebies offered in election manifestos as they are in India. It is a tragedy that instead of banning such announcements, the Election Commission prefers to remain a mute spectator. Does the AIADMK’s announcement indicate that the party is on shaky ground and is playing one of its last cards in trying to garner votes? It is only us taxpayers who will have to bear the cost of freebies while unscrupulous politicians win their elections.
Yvonne Fernando,Chennai
The culture of expecting more from a government in power is snowballing and people’s desire to “work hard” getting diminished. In implementing the freebie schemes, there is no transparency or honesty, only corruption and selfishness. If this trend continues, sustainable and productive service will remain a utopian dream. The need of the hour is to make people understand the real situation of the country, take bold steps to cut unnecessary subsidies, design foolproof implementation strategies and plan with a long-term focus. Activists must start interacting with the younger generation in the urban and rural areas and spreading messages on voting rights and the dignity of an election and a democracy. Freebies do not find a place in this.
Dr. Ranganayaki Murray,Glasgow, U.K.
