Chennai: President of the Dravida Kazhagam K. Veeramani is all set to launch his campaign across the state for a fortnight beginning Tuesday. He will take part in meetings supporting candidates fielded by DMK-led Madhacharbatra Murpokku Kootani (Secular Progressive Alliance).
Before leaving for the campaign, Veeramani spoke to Deccan Chronicle. He criticised the BJP for violating the principles enshrined in the Preamble of the Constitution, and condemned the AIADMK for forming an opportunistic alliance with the BJP.
He said the RSS-backed BJP, which assumed power at the Centre in 2014, has systematically deviated from the path of previous governments, and has violated fundamental principles enshrined in the Constitution, including its Preamble.
For the past five years the Centre has failed on all fronts. The NDA government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has caused maximum damage. The country is looking for change and effective governance, he said.
Recalling demonetisation, Veeramani said it affected everyone, including industry and production units and the unorganised sector, and major chunks of black money were laundered, defeating the object of demonetisation. Ordinary folk are suffering due to the rise in prices of essential commodities.
Talking about the current general election, he said unlike the past 16 Lok Saba elections, the 17th Lok Sabha election is unique and special since it will decide the future of the country.
This election will decide whether there will be India or Hinduia. This election will decide not only the future of the political parties, but also future of the next generation, Veeramani said.
Taking about the DMK-led Madhacharbatra Murpokku Kootani (Secular Progressive Alliance), Veeramani said the alliance is based on the common principle of working for the welfare and development of the people. However, the other alliance led by the AIADMK is an opportunistic one. Constituents in the AIADMK front have themselves confessed that the alliance was formed to get votes and win seats in the election. They have thrown all principles to the wind.
He said Dr S. Ramadoss, founder and leader of the PMK, a constituent of the AIADMK alliance, keeps on changing his stand. When it comes to aligning with the Dravidan majors Ramadoss is “inconsistently consistent”.
The Centre holds the AIADMK to ransom and threatens ministers with income tax raids and the CBI. They are stooges; a minister even went to the extent of calling Modi their ‘daddy’,
The AIADMK manifesto, Mr Veeramani said, is like resolutions passed by the party. For example, it requests the Centre to exempt students from the state from appearing in the Neet. He noted that the AIADMK lost several opportunities to mount pressure on the Centre to redress the grievances of the state on several issues, including Neet.
AIADMK MPs voted against the BJP government in the no-confidence motion moved in Parliament last year and in the election to the President of India. However, the party failed to utilise the opportunities. The state government passed two Bills related to Neet. It is not known what happened to the Bills even after the lapse of two to three years, and the Centre has not approved them. As a result, the corporate sector is benefiting from Neet, Veeramani observed.
