PWF launches TN Assembly poll campaign

Leaders claim that the alliance would provide a corruption-free government.

People’s Welfare Front leaders (from left) CPI’s R. Mutharasan, MDMK’s Vaiko, CPI(M)’s G. Ramakrishnan and VCK’s Thol Thirumavalavan. File photo

The People’s Welfare Front on Sunday launched its first phase of campaign for the coming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, claiming that it would provide a corruption-free government.

Accusing both the AIADMK and the DMK of being corrupt, leaders of the PWF, comprising the MDMK, the CPI(M), the CPI and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), told a public meeting in Cuddalore that they would work for people’s welfare and provide a “corruption-free and transparent” government.

“We are for the welfare of the people whereas AIADMK and DMK are only bothered about of the welfare of the families of their leaders,” PWF convener and MDMK general secretary Vaiko said.

Asserting that the next government in the State would be formed by the PWF, he claimed that people would dethrone Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa in the polls, expected to be announced in a few weeks.

He also >alleged corruption in the pact signed for the methane extraction project in the Cauvery delta during the previous DMK regime.

He said youth in the State had lost trust in the major Dravidian parties, which have been alternately ruling the state in the past five decades, adding a coalition arrangement would ensure there was no abuse of power by a single party.

He assured that the PWF, if voted to power, would implement total prohibition to ensure that people were saved from the evil effects of liquor.

“We promise the people that we will provide a corruption-free, liquor-free and a transparent government. The Lokayukta will also be set up,” he added.

VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan, CPI(M) Tamil Nadu State secretary G. Ramakrishnan and CPI Tamil Nadu State secretary R. Mutharasan were among those who addressed the meeting.

Earlier, the PWF launched its campaign on Saturday night in the Union Territory of Puducherry, which is also slated to go for Assembly polls along with Tamil Nadu.

Addressing a public meeting there, leaders of the front, which also comprised the RSP in Puducherry, said they would work for securing full statehood for the union territory and implement total prohibition.