Choose development or downfall, says Vasan

“Crop loan to the tune of Rs.7,000 crore was waived by the DMK government”

Tamil Nadu voters, who have witnessed the implementation of welfare programmes with Central funding during the past five years and the catastrophic misrule prior to that period in the State, should choose between development and downfall in the Assembly polls, Union Shipping Minister G.K. Vasan said on Monday.

Campaigning in the district, Mr. Vasan said Tamil Nadu had surged ahead of several Indian States in all fields thanks to the continuous support being extended by the Centre due to cordial Centre-State ties.

If this situation continued, all parts of the State continue to witness growth.

Listing the welfare schemes being implemented for minorities' development, Mr. Vasan said that financial allocation for executing minorities' welfare programmes was being increased during every fiscal and 1,170 teaching and non-teaching staff were appointed in schools run by the minorities during the past five years, which had cost Rs.331 crore.

Crop loan to the tune of Rs.7,000 crore was waived by the DMK government while the previous AIADMK regime had withdrawn the free power scheme.

“If you want to witness continuation of these development activities in Tamil Nadu, you should vote for the Democratic Progressive Alliance candidates. Hence you choose between development and downfall in the Assembly elections.”

Mr. Vasan campaigned at Kaavalkinaru, Valliyoor, Nanguneri, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli, Alangulam, Tenkasi and Kadayanallur.