Criticising the Tamil Nadu government for the recent increase in petrol and diesel prices, Prakash Karat, polit bureau member and former general secretary of Communist Party of India (Marxist), alleged that Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami was acting like a disciple of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Speaking at the ‘Ezhuvom Tamizhagam’ campaign of CPI (M) here on Monday, Mr. Karat said that by increasing the VAT for fuel, thereby increasing its prices, the State government had done what the Union government had already done 11 times in less than three years by increasing excise duty.
“Despite the oil price falling by around 60 per cent in the international market, the Indian government, instead of passing the savings to the people, has been increasing the price of petrol and diesel,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
He added that at a time when Tamil Nadu was reeling under drought, the increase in fuel prices would only burden the common people since it would result in increase in prices of essential commodities.
Alleging that the AIADMK government had miserably failed to address the immediate concerns of Tamil Nadu, particularly drought, Mr. Karat said that it was reluctant to bring pressure on the Centre to meet its demands since it was more keen on survival. “Necessary supplies are not available in the State’s public distribution system. Despite assurance of 150 days of work through Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Scheme, the State government has not been able to provide more than 50 days of work in the recent past due to lack of funds from the Centre,” he said.
Pointing out that the ruling party in the State was headed by a person convicted in a corruption case and lodged in prison, Mr. Karat said that there had been a total degeneration of politics and Dravidian parties in Tamil Nadu.
ADVERTISEMENT
“The government and the ruling party seem to be under the control of a family, a coterie of people, who are not accountable or responsible to the people,” he said.
Mr. Karat also alleged that the BJP and RSS, by exploiting the political situation after the demise of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, were trying to indulge in communal politics in the State in a manner similar to their attempts in other parts of the country. He said that there was a necessity to create a new chapter of politics in Tamil Nadu that will serve the interests of people.
Highlighting that the ‘Ezhuvom Tamizhagam’ campaign of CPI (M) was in that direction, Mr. Karat appealed to the people to support the Communist parties and other democratic forces in the State that could provide such an alternative.