The Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) led by actor Vijayakant on Tuesday came down on the State government for its “failure” to maintain law and order, alleging that the police had become a puppet in the hands of the ruling party. A resolution adopted at the general council meeting stated that though the ruling party claimed that criminals had left the state immediately after it assumed office, there was no change in the situation. Murder, robbery, burglary and rape had become the order of the day.
“Women and old people live in constant fear. The law and order situation has deteriorated and the police have become puppet in the hands of the ruling party.”
Another resolution condemned the unprecedented power cut in Tamil Nadu, which was causing difficulties for all sections of society.
“Though the rulers said they would make Tamil Nadu a power surplus state, the four-hour power cut has plunged the state into semi-darkness. Now the 10-hour power cut will mean a state of total darkness.” The decision to seek an increase in power tariff would add insult to injury.
The general council urged the government to roll back the hike in prices of milk and bus fares. Pointing out that industrial pollution, increase in the price of yarn, power crisis, shortage of labour and a slew of other issues had seriously affected the textile industry in Tirupur, Coimbatore, Karur and Erode, and business was moving to Bangladesh and northern states, the general council urged the state government to take immediate measures to arrest the trend. A resolution wanted the government to ensure that the Opposition parties were given equal opportunity and adequate time to raise people's issues.
The general council re-elected Mr. Vijayakant as the general secretary of the party.
Addressing the meeting, he demanded that the entire proceedings of the Assembly be telecast live on Doordarshan. “The Chief Minister accuses me of pointing my finger while speaking in the Assembly. She also addressed the House in a similar manner.” Mr. Vijayakant expressed the hope that the DMDK would become the ruling party. “We had one MLA in 2006. Today, we have 29. Tomorrow we will be the ruling party.”