CHENNAI: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has demanded that the State government provide a cash gift of Rs 5,000 to every family, along with the traditional Pongal hamper.

Addressing reporters in Salem, Palaniswami stated that such a gesture would be the ruling DMK’s “final opportunity to show a minimum concern for the people.” He pointed out that the government has yet to announce its Pongal package, even as families grapple with rising prices and economic stress.

“When Stalin was the Leader of the Opposition, he demanded Rs 5,000 per family. Today, he is the Chief Minister. We are only asking him to honour his own words,” Palaniswami said, adding that this would be the DMK’s “last Pongal in power.”

The AIADMK leader launched a broadside against the DMK government, accusing it of failure in governance, welfare delivery, agriculture, employment, and fiscal discipline. “It is surviving only on announcements,” he alleged.

He contrasted this with the AIADMK’s tenure, detailing extensive development work carried out in his Edappadi Assembly constituency.

Palaniswami specifically referred to a lake water replenishment scheme, designed to draw surplus water from the Mettur Dam and benefit 100 water bodies, which he accused the DMK of deliberately stalling due to “political animosity.”

“For four and a half years, they have not completed the work. Once AIADMK returns to power, these lakes will be filled, and farmers will not be betrayed,” he assured.