Tamil Nadu was reeling under an unprecedented power crisis and deteriorating law and order situation, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Treasurer M.K. Stalin said, on Thursday.
Mr. Stalin was addressing party men at meetings held in Kinathukkadavu and Saravanampatti on Thursday to prepare the cadre for the Parliamentary elections as well as to raise funds for elections.
District secretaries of the party Pongalur N. Palanisamy (Coimbatore), M.P. Saminathan (Tirupur), former union minister M. Kannappan, former MP M. Ramanathan, Union Minister S. Gandhiselvan and Coimbatore urban district secretary of the party, M. Veeragopal were present.
During the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) rule, the State witnessed spiralling crime rate like incidents of murder, dacoity and sexual assault, Mr.Stalin said. This was only an indication of the poor law and order situation, he charged and recalled the statement by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa when she assumed office that criminals had left for neighbouring States soon after AIADMK was voted to power.
It was a proud moment in his life when DMK chief and his father M. Karunanidhi declared that he (Stalin) would be his political heir, Mr.Stalin said.
Accusing the AIADMK Government of not focusing on the welfare of the people, Mr. Stalin said the State faced a power shortage for only two hours a day when the DMK was in power, whereas during the AIADMK regime, people were getting power supply only for two hours a day. The power crisis has crippled the industries and the livelihood of the people to a considerable extent.
Irrespective of when the Lok Sabha elections would be held, the DMK was ready to face the election as and when it was notified, he said. He exhorted party cadre to visit every household to highlight the schemes and achievements of the DMK Government during its previous tenure to win the support of the electorate.
