EPS claims AIADMK developed Dravidian model concept, not DMK

MADURAI: Taking credit for the concept of ‘Dravidian Model’, AIADMK interim general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami said it was actually developed by the AIADMK and not the DMK.

Addressing a public rally at Sivakasi in Virudhunagar district on Thursday, Palaniswami said the Dravidian Model being claimed by Chief Minister MK Stalin is all about stopping the schemes implemented by the AIADMK government for people, especially the poor.

Several welfare schemes of the previous government benefitted different sections, including students, elderly and others, but the ruling DMK has stopped them all.

Opining that education is fundamental to the growth of any state and the previous AIADMK led government ushered in a revolution in education, the former chief minister said that to help poor and government school students fulfil their education dreams, the previous regime under his reign introduced 7.5 per cent internal reservation in medical college seats and also bore their educational expenses. With these benefits, as many as 420 students got admitted into medical colleges and 110 students got admissions to BDS.

Criticising the DMK government over its failure to keep the poll promises, Palaniswami, who was earlier accorded a grand reception on arrival at Madurai, said CM Stalin did not fulfil the assurances he made ahead of the Assembly election. “Now, people are suffering due to the 30 per cent price rise on all products, including essential commodities and the DMK government has offered people double bonus effecting hike in electricity charges and cent per cent increase in property taxes.

Apart from this what else Stalin did to achieve during his 16-month rule in the state, the AIADMK leader wondered and charged that the Chief Minister was concerned only about the welfare of his family members and not the people, who voted his party to power.

The DMK is all about commission, corruption and collection and no department is graft-free. The government seemed ineffective as the law and order situation is at its worst as drug abuse is rampant in the state.

Ahead of the polls last year, Stalin promised to abolish NEET saying it would be the first file that he would sign. But, nothing has happened so far on that promise and the government is adopting double stance on the NEET issue.