Kanimozhi flays AIADMK’s ‘deception’ on rural employment scheme

Thoothukudi MP and DMK deputy general secretary Kanimozhi Karunanidhi on Sunday assailed the ‘deception’ behind the poll assurance given by AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami to ensure 150 working days under the rural employment scheme.

Having acquiesced to its alliance partner BJP’s renaming of the MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) to VB-G RAM (Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission) entailing drastic cut in funding, the claim by Mr. Palaniswami will not cut ice with people, she said in her election campaign meetings in Tiruppur and Coimbatore districts.

The AIADMK could not even exert its influence for retention the existing 100 working days. People will teach a fitting lesson, Ms. Kanimozhi said.

“Did you provide mobile phones to people free of cost that was promised in the 2016 AIADMK election manifesto,” Ms. Kanimozhi further questioned the AIADMK leader.

Ms. Kanimozhi sought votes for Minister M.P. Saminathan in Kangayam constituency, K. Selvaraj in Palladam, S. Murugesan in Sulur segment that are set to witness direct contest between the DMK and AIADMK candidates. The fight in the Kavundampalayam constituency is between Congress party candidate K.P. Surya Prakash and P.R.G. Arunkumar of AIADMK.

Pongalur will be declared a revenue taluk after the DMK returns to power, she said, and also promised construction of hostels in Tiruppur to accommodate 25,000 workers employed in textile units.

The DMK, she said, was seeking votes with a sense of fulfilment over accomplishment of promised schemes.

Free power for farmers with supply of 20 lakh free electric motors, doubling of benefit under Kalaignar Women Rights Grant Scheme to ₹2,000 a month, free bus travel for women, broad-basing of morning breakfast scheme for students of up to VIII standard, increase in monthly financial aid under Pudhumai Penn and Tamil Pudhalvan schemes for ensuring higher extent of enrolment in higher education, and the ‘Illatharasi’ coupon scheme entitling a beneficiary to ₹8,000 for purchase or replacement of household electronic appliances of their choice, were among the schemes emphasised by Ms. Kanimozhi in all the constituencies.

Similar to former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi who had implemented the colour TV scheme, the Chief Minister M.K. Stalin was also keen on getting ambitious women-oriented schemes conceptualised and accomplished, she said.