Coimbatore, Apr 16 (PTI) Dismissing DMK’s claims about Lok Sabha constituency delimitation proposed by the Centre affecting Tamil Nadu, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami said Chief Minister M K Stalin spreads misinformation about the bill.
“Stalin fears defeat in the April 9 Assembly polls and spreads misinformation about the constituency delimitation proposal”, he said during a poll rally in Coimbatore.
Stating that the central government has already assured Tamil Nadu won’t be affected, the leader of the opposition claimed that delimitation will be done fairly for all states. “He (Stalin) opposes 33% reservation for women to prevent the central government from gaining credit”, he said.
Charging the former union finance minister, P Chidambaram’s comments, Palaniswami said, “he criticised my statements. What has he done for Tamil Nadu despite being a Union minister for years? Alleging that DMK MPs have failed to raise issues of the state in the parliament, he recalled,” AIADMK MPs once stalled parliament for 22 days for Cauvery water rights. Claiming that NEET was introduced by Congress and DMK, he said, “and now they oppose it. This is a double standard”.
Criticising Stalin for failing to fulfil election promises, Palaniswami claimed that during the DMK rule, prices of essential goods, electricity, and taxes have sharply increased, and law and order have deteriorated. “In addition to rising crime and drug issues, infrastructure and development projects have stalled, and government employees and the public have been misled”, he said.
Stating that Stalin talks about “Delhi vs Tamil Nadu,” while this is a state election, he asked, “Why do they bring Delhi here?” Palaniswami also said: “When the NDA alliance was formed, Amit Shah clearly said AIADMK would lead, and Edappadi Palaniswami would be the chief minister candidate. So why talk about conflict with Delhi?” Claiming that during the AIADMK regime, major projects like the Avinashi–Athikadavu scheme, drinking water schemes, metro plans, airport expansion, industrial parks, and more were implemented, “but the DMK has stalled them,” he alleged. The AIADMK chief said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Coimbatore on April 18. “Listen to him. A strong India and prosperous Tamil Nadu will be created”, he claimed.
Palaniswami said that if AIADMK comes to power, Amma mini clinics and canteens will be reopened, and they will be under the chief minister’s supervision. “The law and order will be strengthened, infrastructure improved, job opportunities provided,” he added.
He also alleged that police have filed false cases against AIADMK members under pressure. “When we return to power, we will reopen them and take strict action against officials involved”, he said. PTI SNR ADB
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