Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Friday hinted that some more freebies were in the offing to people in addition to what was mentioned in the DMK's election manifesto.
Addressing an election rally at Uthiramerur on Friday, where he introduced Pon. Kumar of the Kattida Thozhilalar Munnetra Sangam, contesting the Uthiramerur Assembly seat on the DMK symbol, Mr. Stalin said that Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had not only implemented all the schemes announced by him during the 2006 Assembly elections but also launched Kalaignar Health Insurance and Kalaignar Housing Scheme, which were not mentioned in the election manifesto.
Another scheme — the 108 ambulance service — had served more than 7.80 lakh people, out of which 2.06 lakh patients were pregnant women, 2.33 lakh persons who had suffered grievous injuries and 43,000 heart patients.
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“This time he has announced that either a grinder or a mixie will be distributed to womenfolk as an election assurance. Who knows he may even add refrigerator or washing machine to the freebie list.”
Jayalalithaa proved wrong
Hitting out at AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa, he questioned on what basis she had announced freebies in the manifesto this time round when she had gone all out against freebies in the DMK's 2006 poll manifesto.
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“She had said that it would not be possible to give one kg of rice for Rs.2 through the public distribution system. But, the DMK government went one step ahead, providing one kg of rice for Re.1.”
While the DMK was soliciting votes by highlighting welfare and people-oriented schemes implemented during the last five years, Mr. Stalin said that the AIADMK could not show anything as its achievement.
It was during the AIADMK regime that provisions of TESMA / ESMA were used to stifle government employees and teachers. Thousands of healthcare workers and road workers were suspended from service.
Mr. Stalin also introduced the Pattali Makkal Katchi nominee for neighbouring Kancheepuram Assembly constituency Ulagaratchagan.