Total prohibition promise of AIADMK a farce: Vijayakant

Mr. Vijayakant asked why Ms. Jayalalithaa did not make this promise when widespread protests were staged last year following the death of prohibition-activist Sasi Perumal.

ON HOME TURF:DMDK leader Vijayakant seeks votes for his alliance candidates in Madurai on Sunday.— Photo: G. Moorthy

The promise by All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam supremo Jayalalithaa that she would bring total prohibition in the State in a phased manner if re-elected was a farce, said Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam chief Vijayakant while addressing a campaign rally here on Sunday.

Mr. Vijayakant asked why Ms. Jayalalithaa did not make this promise when widespread protests were staged last year following the death of prohibition-activist Sasi Perumal. “Minister Natham Viswanathan said in the Assembly that prohibition was not possible. How has that changed now?” he asked.

“Ms. Jayalalithaa is now talking about the distilleries run by the people in the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. What about Midas distilleries? Is she willing to talk about the ownership and profits of the company?” he questioned.

Alleging that both the DMK and the AIADMK were equally corrupt, Mr. Vijayakant said that voting either of them for another term would be a disaster for Tamil Nadu. He alleged that both the DMK and the AIADMK had looted public money and were banking on their money power to win the election.

“The DMDK-PWF-TMC alliance does not have money. However, we have the power of young and committed cadres,” he said to loud cheers by the crowd.

He said that the government to be formed by the DMDK-PWF-TMC alliance would be transparent and closer to the people.

Coming down heavily on the deaths of AIADMK cadres in recent campaign meetings of Ms. Jayalalithaa, he accused Ms. Jayalalithaa of not understanding the values of human lives.

He sought votes for DMDK-PWF-TMC candidates contesting from six constituencies in Madurai district – Communist Party of India (Marxist) candidate for Madurai West U. Vasuki, CPI candidate for Madurai East K. Kalidas, DMDK candidate for Madurai Central D. Sivamuthukumar, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi candidate for Sholavandan R. Pandiammal, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam candidate for Madurai South M. Boominathan and Tamil Maanila Congress candidate for Melur Bharat Nachiappan.