Leader of the Opposition and AIADMK co-coordinator Edappadi K. Palaniswami criticised the State government for effecting a steep hike in property tax after the urban local bodies elections.
Mr . Palaniswami told presspersons that the hike was highly condemnable. The tax rates were increased 150%. During AIADMK rule, M.K. Stalin, now the Chief Minister and then the Leader of the Opposition, asked whether it was property tax or a tax to usurp the property (when the rates were hiked). “That criticism suits him well now,” he said.
People were severely affected by COVID-19 as they did not have any proper income for two years. “A 25% hike would have been fine, but a 150% hike at this juncture is condemnable,” he added.
On the police drive against ganja, Mr. Palaniswami said ganja was easily available for students even now. He called the situation dangerous and blamed it on the Chief Minister who handles the Home portfolio.
Mr. Palaniswami alleged that sexual harassment of women and children was widespread in the State. He demanded immediate measures to prevent such crimes.
On the Chief Minister’s visit to New Delhi, Mr. Palaniswami said they (AIADMK leaders) were called slaves when they met the Prime Minister and the Union Ministers. It was the DMK which released ‘Go Back Modi’ baloons during the Prime Minister’s visit to Tamil Nadu and now Mr. Stalin himself met the Prime Minister twice after becoming Chief Minister.
The Leader of the Opposition alleged that the DMK government was responsible for the cancellation of the 10.5% internal reservation for Vanniyars. It failed to appoint a senior lawyer for the case and did not submit all related documents in the High Court. The DMK wanted to cancel the reservation since it was introduced by the AIADMK government, he said.
