Women thronged ATMs to withdraw ₹5,000 fearing that Union govt. will take it, says Stalin

A day after the DMK government deposited ₹5,000 under the Kalaignar Mahalir Urimai Thittam, its beneficiaries thronged ATMs to withdraw the money only due to fear that the Union government might “take” it, said Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.

Addressing DMK booth-level agents (BLAs) from the southern districts in Madurai on Saturday, the party president said that was the difference between the faith the people of Tamil Nadu had on the DMK and the Union governments. “If something is given to the people, it is by the DMK government. If something is taken from the people, it is the hand of the BJP-led Union government. Understand this difference and explain this to the voters [during the election campaign],” Mr. Stalin told the BLAs.

Mr. Stalin claimed that his government succeeded in depositing ₹5,000 under the Mahalir Urimai Thittam while thwarting the conspiracy to cripple the scheme in the guise of the election code of conduct.

“The women wing of the DMK should spread word of this surgical strike. It should also remind voters about the DMK’s promise of increasing the monthly assistance under the scheme to ₹2,000 in the next DMK regime,” he said. Tamil Nadu has achieved unprecedented growth as the DMK has worked carefully on schemes to take care of people from all walks of life, he asserted.

He also referred to an old clip of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech that had gone viral recently, in which Mr. Modi had said patronage for Metro Rail projects was declining due to free bus journey schemes implemented by State governments.

“So far, the bus journey scheme for women by the DMK government has offered 900 crore free rides to women. Each family was able around save ₹800 a month due to this,” he said. He wondered why the Prime Minister, who was very concerned over Metro Rail projects, had not approved the ones for Madurai and Coimbatore. “People should raise this question with Mr. Modi when he visits Madurai on March 1,” he added.

“Development of all is irritating (our political rivals). Hence, during electioneering, tell the people that only if the DMK government continues in Tamil Nadu will social welfare schemes such as the Kalaignar Mahalir Urimai Thittam continue without issues,” Mr. Stalin said.

Though the social media campaign is important, party cadre should make it a point to make door-to-door visits and seek votes for the Democratic Progressive Alliance based on the achievements of the DMK government, he said.

‘Book cases against us’

Daring the Union government to book cases against DMK functionaries, Mr. Stalin said the party was ready to stand up against raids by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), and the Income Tax (I-T) Department. He said the DMK had courageously faced the Emergency in the past.

“We are not bothered about our party regime, post, or our lives. We are not cowards like [AIADMK general secretary] Edappadi K. Palaniswami,” he said.

The Chief Minister said DMK members faced more raids by the Union government than those of other Opposition parties in the country. “Only our Ministers are facing more pressure. Attempts are being made to push the DMK government into a crisis. We will not fear the CBI, ED and I-T Department, but stand up against them,” he said.. Mr. Stalin said the people of the State supported the DMK, because of its involvement in establishing the rights of Tamil Nadu.

The DMK leader accused the Union government for not having given any special schemes to Tamil Nadu, not publishing the report of Keeladi archaeological excavation and for not having completed the AIIMS building. He also raised the issue of not giving exemption from NEET to Tamil Nadu and denying funds to education department for defying the three-language policy of the Centre.

“Mr. Palaniswami should have raised his voice for the rights of Tamil Nadu. However, he has become a traitor by not raising these issues even as demands (before the Union Government),” Mr. Stalin accused.

DMK leaders, K.N. Nehru, T.R. Baalu, I. Periyasamy, Kanimozhi, P. Moorthi, and Palanivel Thiaga Rajan were among those who were present.