Alliance with DMK “strong at present,” says Elangovan

Congress leader E.V.K.S. Elangovan said here on Friday that his party's alliance with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) “is strong at present.”

At the same time, Mr. Elangovan said: “Emotions of the party cadre (vis-à-vis alliance) have been communicated to the high command and they will take a good decision. This is not the time to discuss alliance as Assembly elections in the State are ten long months away.”

Addressing a press conference, Mr. Elangovan said that the Congress would organise public meetings throughout the State from September 1 to propagate welfare measures being implemented by the UPA government. “Besides me, Union Ministers of the party and leaders will participate. We will also release a list of beneficiaries under various Centrally-sponsored schemes. I hope that the Youth Congress and other wings of the party will join the campaign.”

Asked what was the need for the Congress to organise such meetings, he said: “Central schemes are not highlighted, as they were earlier, at State government functions. People are under the illusion that the Centrally-sponsored schemes such as 108 ambulance, SHG loans etc. are State schemes.

He demanded that the State government enquire into charges of irregularities in executing the Indira Avas Yojana (IAY).

“We also want to know why in several places people get less wages under the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGREGS) than the Centre-stipulated sum of Rs.100 a day. Certainly, there are irregularities in implementing the MGREGS.”

Mr. Elangovan also demanded that that the State government name the Government General Hospital in Chennai after former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

“K. Veeramani, general secretary of the Dravidar Kazhagam, has asked it should be named after Periyar. I am happy that Periyar's name has come to his mind at least now. They can name the Royapettah Government Hospital after Periyar as he underwent treatment there,” Mr. Elangovan said.