PMK leader S. Ramadoss, who is unhappy with the way his party is treated in the BJP alliance, broke his silence and declared that a strong government led by Narendra Modi alone could undo the betrayals done to Tamil Nadu by the AIADMK, the DMK and the Congress-led UPA.
“The objective of the BJP-led NDA is to teach the DMK and the AIADMK a fitting lesson. The people of Tamil Nadu have long been looking for an alternative, and they are happy with the NDA,” he said in a statement.
Though Dr. Ramadoss campaigned for his son Anbumani Ramadoss, who is contesting from Dharmapuri, and party president and candidate for Krishnagirir G.K. Mani, he stayed away from the other constituencies. Even when Mr. Modi visited Chennai, he did not meet him.
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Finally, persuaded by Mr. Anbumani, he agreed to issue a statement, urging his party cadre to work for the NDA candidates in all constituencies in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
“While the people of Tamil Nadu have decided to vote for the NDA, the onus is on the alliance partners to harvest their votes. They should assume the role of family members and ensure that the votes go to the candidates of the alliance,” he said.
Dr. Ramadoss said the two Dravidian parties had failed to secure justice for Tamil Nadu in inter-State river water disputes, and for Tamil fishermen, who he said were frequently subjected to attacks by the Sri Lankan Army.
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“While the power crisis has led to the closure of many industries and job losses, the government has opened retail liquor shops and converted the State into a land of drunkards,” he said.