PMK founder S. Ramadoss on Saturday called upon voters not to fall prey to the campaign that the election of ruling party candidates to local bodies alone will facilitate developmental works.
Talking to reporters, he said that local bodies had separate funds to see that all developmental works were implemented and the State government was legally bound to release the money.
“The ruling party may indulge in a campaign that the interest of the local bodies can be better served only if its candidates are elected. It is a false propaganda and people are not ready to believe the ruling party. The DMK was in power and Chennai Corporation had the DMK candidate as Mayor. Why did it fail to address the problems of the city?”
Dr. Ramadoss said that the PMK had been demanding the allocation of 25 per cent of the tax revenues of the State to local bodies and would continue to fight for their cause if it won the elections.
He asked election officials to assert their independence and not toe the line of the ruling party.
Dr. Ramadoss said that free and fair elections to local bodies could be ensured only if the State Election Commissioner was directly appointed by the Election Commission of India as was being done in the case of the Chief Electoral Officer.
“PMK had a good record as its ministers at the Centre had proved their mettle. Given an opportunity we will ensure that Chennai is freed of all its woes. We will ensure drinking water that can match bottled water in quality,” he said.
Asked about allegations that he sabotaged the creation of a satellite town aimed at reducing the problems of Chennai, Dr. Ramadoss said that he was not against the plan as such, but against the displacement of people in over 100 villages for the sake of elite groups in society and multi-nationals. “Chennai is expanding on its own. You need not bother about it.”
