‘BJP, AIADMK manifestos contradict on TN issues’

DMK president M K Stalin on Saturday criticised the AIADMK-led NDA alliance, stating that the election manifestos of the BJP, the AIADMK and the PMK contradicted each other.

Speaking at a public meeting in Tiruchy to canvass for the Congress candidate S Thirunavukkarasar, Stalin said the BJP would never accept the promises made by the AIADMK on NEET and release of all seven life convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. “Theirs is an alliance aimed at looting,” the DMK chief said, wondering what the ruling AIADMK had done for the welfare of Tamil Nadu people despite enjoying the power.

Highlighting the difference between his party’s manifesto and those of its rivals, Stalin said, “The DMK is focussed on preserving state autonomy and coalition government at the Centre. We drafted our election manifesto carefully.”

He commended the Congress’ manifesto, which he said took into consideration the requirements of the poor and had reflected his party’s thoughts. Targeting CM Edapppadi K Palaniswami, the DMK leader said he was dejected and hence resorting to using unparliamentary words against the Opposition parties. Prime Minister Modi has aligned with such people. He ignored Tamil Nadu post cyclone Gaja devastation but is now visiting the state often, Palaniswami said.

Modi was not a ‘kaavalali’ (security) to the nation, but a ‘kalavani’ (thief) who helps the looters, Stalin added.

Stalin said he had been constantly posing the AIADMK regime three questions, namely the death of Jayalalithaa, Kodanad dacoity-cum-murder case and the Pollachi sexual abuse case, at all his campaign events across the state.

“However, no reply has been received from the Chief Minister. Once the DMK forms the government, it will launch a thorough probe and send those involved in the case to jail,” he said.

He pointed out that the AIADMK candidates are being chased away by the people where ever they go for campaign. “The Karur AIADMK candidate, who was also the Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker, was not allowed into the village by the people and he told them that he does not want their votes.”

DMK president M K Stalin has demanded a White Paper on the reported bribing of voters in the 2016 Assembly elections by the AIADMK. Referring to a media report which said Deputy CM O Panneerselvam and his former cabinet colleagues Natham Viswanathan and Vaithilingam had jointly spent Rs 650 crore on bribing voters, Stalin said the Principal Director of the I-T Department sent a report on this issue to the Director General of I-T (Investigation Wing) in May 9, 2017 and had even recommended forwarding the same to the Election Commission of India (ECI) for action. Seeking to know what action was taken on the report by I-T and the ECI, Stalin said the entire issue remains shrouded in mystery.