AIADMK interim general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami speaking at a public meeting to introduce KS Thennarasu, the party’s candidate for the Erode (East) by-election on February 9, 2023. , Photo Credit: M. Govardhan
AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Thursday urged people to ensure his party’s victory in the Erode (East) Assembly bypoll and the victory should serve as a warning to the ruling DMK not to deceive people by making “false promises”. Can give ,
He introduced this while addressing a public meeting at Veppampalayam on Perundurai Road. Party candidate KS ThennarasuHe said that DMK made false promises during the assembly elections and came to power. “But in 21 months of its rule, it has done nothing except cutting ribbons for completed projects Launched by AIADMK Govt.,” They said.
Mr. Palaniswami, who is also the Leader of the Opposition, questioned Need to set up a pen memorial for M Karunanidhi in the Bay of Bengal at a cost of ₹81 crore. He said that it could be installed in front of the Samadhi of the former Chief Minister at Marina Beach. “You can spend Rs 2 crore for the memorial and the rest for the welfare of the people,” he said.
Mr Stalin had accused the then AIADMK government of imposing a debt of Rs 4.85 lakh crore on the state and vowed to clear it. “But they [the DMK government] ₹1.62 lakh crore has been borrowed so far,” he alleged.
Taking a jibe at Mr Stalin for saying there was no development during the 10 years of AIADMK’s rule (2011-21), Mr Palaniswami listed the development schemes implemented in the constituency. A ₹484 crore dedicated water supply scheme was launched by the AIADMK for the Erode Corporation to supply protected drinking water. “But even after 21 months, the DMK government is yet to provide water to the people,” he said.
Mr Palaniswami said that agriculture and textiles are the primary sectors in Erode district and the free dhotis and sarees given to people for the Pongal festival are made every year by the weavers and powerloom owners here.
“But the DMK government did not issue orders to the weavers for the production of dhotis and sarees in time, resulting in closure of many units, leading to job losses and migration of workers to other sectors,” he said. The “victory” in the bypoll will affect the outcome of the Lok Sabha elections in 2024.
BJP national executive member CP Radhakrishnan said when ousted AIADMK leaders O Panneerselvam and Mr Palaniswami were in government together, 11 medical colleges were established and more smart city projects were launched in the state.
“They together fought with the Center for the welfare of the state,” he added. The meeting was attended by Tamil Manila Congress leader GK Vasan, Puthiya Tamilgam president K.K. Krishnasamy, leader of the National Democratic Alliance, BJP MLA C. Saraswathi, former ministers and legislators participated.