DMK has failed on all fronts; none of its candidates will win in LS poll: Palaniswami
Accusing the DMK government of having failed on all fronts, AIADMK general secretary and Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Sunday said that the people of the State would teach the ruling party a fitting lesson by ensuring the defeat of all its candidates in the upcoming general election.
Addressing a public meeting in Chidambaram to campaign for AIADMK candidate M. Chandrakasan, he claimed that the DMK, which had been in power for the past three years, had done nothing for the development of the State.
Taking strong exception to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s statement in Salem that the 10year rule of the AIADMK was a “dark rule”, which did not cater to the needs of the people, Mr. Palaniswami said that only the DMK’s threeyear rule was an antipeople administration. The AIADMK rule, on the other hand, was a golden era in the State, he said.
Accusing the DMK of nurturing ‘dynasty politics’, the former Chief Minister said that even an ordinary functionary could get elevated to the top post in the AIADMK through hard work, while as far as the DMK was concerned, one family alone could occupy the coveted posts in the party ment.
“Will Mr. Stalin make any party cadre, whom he claims is part of his family, the top leader,” he asked. The AIADMK had consistently proved that it was a party of commoners, he said, adding, “I rose to the level of the general secretary through hard work, and this is the best example of it.”
Mr. Palaniswami said that there was no truth to the comments made by the DMK that the AIADMK and the BJP were in a secret relationship. “This is absolutely untrue and highly objectionable,” he said.
“We respect the principles of coalition dharma. The AIADMK has snapped ties with the BJP, and whenever any antiTamil Nadu stand is taken by the BJPand governled government at the Centre, we will be second to none in raising our voice,” he said.
Accusing the DMK president of indulging in doublespeak, Mr. Palaniswami said that the DMK, which had earlier raised the ‘Go Back Modi’ slogan, was now extending a red carpet welcome to the Prime Minister.
Mr. Palaniswami alleged that the State government was supporting the acquisition of farmland by the NLC India Ltd (NLCIL), polluting the environment in Cuddalore district. During the 10year rule of the AIADMK, the NLCIL administration was not allowed to acquire land. But the current regime was acting in support of the company by forcibly acquiring fertile lands, he alleged.