People expect change of guard in State: D. Raja

CPI leader says defeat of DMK-Congress alliance definite

People expect a change of guard in the State, D. Raja, National Secretary, Communist Party of India, said here on Tuesday.

Addressing the reporters here on Tuesday, Mr. Raja said the defeat of DMK-Congress alliance was definite. He said the DMK government had failed to fulfil the expectations of youth. It claimed that it had invited large foreign direct investments in many sectors, but they were not generating the required employment opportunities. Many traditional employment-generating sectors such as handloom, textiles and power looms were in doldrums and the DMK government had failed to revive small-scale industries.

The CPI's demand for a white paper on the government debt burden was not conceded by the DMK government. The State was facing a serious economic crisis. TASMAC liquor had ruined the future of youth, he added.

Fishermen's safety

The Central government has failed to safeguard the interest of the fishermen belonging to Tamil Nadu, who were attacked by the Sri Lankan Navy.

Mr. Raja hailed the scheme announced by AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa in the manifesto of giving a pair of milch cows.

Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram's criticism of the Election Commission for its efforts to curb distribution of money was ridiculous, he said

He said that the Election Commission's strict norms alone would ensure free and fair poll.

The outcome of the Tamil Nadu elections would create a new wave in the State which, in turn, would have its impact on the political scenario at the national level, Mr. Raja added.