DMK president M.K. Stalin on Monday accused the AIADMK government of having failed to implement several promises it made in the run-up to the 2011 and 2016 Assembly elections.
Terming Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami's claim that the AIADMK government had implemented all of its poll promises as a “Himalayan lie”, Mr. Stalin claimed that speaking whimsically was Mr. Palaniswami's wont. It was habitual for the Chief Minister to keep changing his stance to suit the situation, the DMK leader alleged at the ‘Ungal Thoguthiyil Stalin’ (Stalin in your constituency) outreach event at Oonaiyur village near Tirumayam in Pudukottai district.
Recalling some of the promises made by the AIADMK in its 2011 poll manifesto, Mr. Stalin said the current regime had neither ushered in the second green revolution nor doubled the income of farmers. Likewise, it had not kept its promise of distributing farm equipment and drip irrigation systems to all farmers, free of cost.
Referring to promises made by the AIADMK in its 2016 election manifesto, Mr. Stalin said it had not provided free cell phones to all ration card holders. The Amma Banking Card and free Wi-Fi in public places were yet to be provided. The ruling party had not waived education loans either, he added.
Despite having failed to fulfil a host of promises, Mr. Palaniswami was going around the State, claiming that all assurances had been implemented, Mr. Stalin said.
Alleging that there had been no industrial development or investment in the State in the last 10 years, he said the Chief Minister was still publicising Tamil Nadu as a State that was marching ahead victoriously.
Hitting out at Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar, a native of Pudukottai district, Mr. Stalin alleged that he had indulged in corrupt practices, taking advantage of even the COVID-19 pandemic. The DMK leader held Mr. Vijayabaskar responsible for eight lakh people getting affected by COVID-19 and for deaths associated with the disease. Mr. Vijayabaskar had earlier said that Tamil Nadu would not be affected by COVID-19 and that there would be no deaths. The Health Minister had hidden the facts and figures regarding the number of persons affected, those undergoing treatment and those who died, Mr. Stalin alleged.
The DMK had prepared the second report pertaining to corruption among Ministers, and would soon hand it over to the Governor, he said. Assuring that action would be taken against graft once the DMK comes to power, he claimed that Ministers of the current regime would be put behind bars.
Promising to create job opportunities and bring new industries and infrastructure, Mr. Stalin said the DMK would provide a transparent government, if elected to power.
‘Sense of fear’
Campaigning at Kollapuram village in Ariyalur district, Mr. Stalin claimed that a sense of fear prevailed across all sections of society under the AIADMK government.
Farmers were fearful of the newly-enacted Central farm laws, and were wondering whether their lands would be protected and whether benefits like free electricity would continue. Weavers feared whether they would get free power and a remunerative price for their produce. Government employees were apprehensive as they were being threatened and cases were being booked against those agitating against the denial of benefits to them, he claimed.
Alleging that irregularities had arisen in government appointments, the DMK leader said eligible candidates were being ignored and educated youth were unable to secure employment as no new job opportunities had been created in the State. The Chief Minister had not solved the problems confronting the people, and had misused his powers, he alleged.
Recalling former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s efforts towards ensuring social justice, he said it was he who provided 20% reservation for the Most Backward Classes, including the Vanniyar community, after getting elected in 1989. Mr. Stalin recalled how PMK founder Ramadoss thanked Mr. Karunanidhi for this during the Vanniyar Sangam silver jubilee celebrations at Konerikuppam.
But due to the “wrong policies” of the Union government, social justice had been jeopardised. Protecting social justice policy was the key to protecting the future of Tamils, the DMK leader said.
