DMK trying to sabotage, block welfare schemes: CM Edappadi K Palaniswami
CHENNAI: Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami has accused the DMK chief M K Stalin and the DMK of trying to sabotage and block the government welfare programmes to the poor.
Contending that the DMK resorted to all sorts of tactics, especially approaching the court to scuttle the implementation of the welfare schemes, Mr. Palaniswami said unable to “digest the popularity” of the government Stalin's DMK went to the court to stop the implementation of the Pongal gift. “Now his DMK had approached the Election Commission to stay the implementation of the Rs. 2,000 cash dole to the BPL families. Will Stalin and his DMK, which is preventing the poor from getting the benefits, ever do good for the people?” he asked while campaigning for Puthiya Needhi Katchi (PNK) candidate A. C. Shanmugam, an ally of the AIADMK, in Vellore district on Saturday.
He said his government would implement the Rs. 2,000 one-time cash dole scheme after the election. Although the DMK had been part of several regimes at the Centre, including the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance, it did not bring any projects for the benefit of Tamil Nadu. Despite the Congress leader P Chidambaram who had been the Union Finance Minister, haling from the State, Tamil Nadu did not see any growth, the CM alleged.
“It is a party bereft of any principles. DMK is a family party,” he said and added that the elections would end such family politics. Mr. Palaniswami also alleged that the DMK was akin to a “chameleon” which changed its colours quite often. “DMK has shifted its stand many a times for the sake of power and the word chameleon applies only to it and no other party. The alliance led by it is an opportunistic alliance,” he said. On the other hand, the AIADMK alliance was committed to people’s welfare. “Amma’s government had always been a fortress in protecting the rights of the minorities,” he added.
Mr. Palaniswami also assured that his government would take steps to extend the 100 days employment guarantee scheme to 200 days.
