CHENNAI: Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister PK Sekarbabu on Sunday accused AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) of not having original ideas and merely imitating initiatives rolled out by the ruling DMK government, mocking the opposition party's assurance to expand existing free bus travel and financial aid to women heads of ration-card-holding families.
"If EPS had any ideas of his own, new thoughts would emerge. There is nothing in his thinking," Sekarbabu told reporters after inspecting a series of infrastructure projects under the North Chennai Development Plan at Wall Tax road here.
He said the AIADMK's approach was limited to following whatever the DMK implements and increasing it by barely 10%. "From EPS's first phase of election announcements, it is evident that the AIADMK is travelling strictly along the path laid down by the Chief Minister M K Stalin," he added.
Responding to former BJP state president K Annamalai's remarks invoking a Telugu proverb to criticise DMK's poll promises, Sekarbabu hit back, saying that Annamalai, who held no official post, should first acquire the eligibility to raise such questions.
Earlier in the day, the Minister reviewed works being executed by the CMDA, including the upgradation of Wall Tax Road, Thanneer Thotti Street and Anna Pillai Street, and inspected an integrated complex comprising a newly constructed dialysis centre, 700 tenements, a playground, a Corporation press and a community hall.
He also inspected the redevelopment of the Moolakothalam sports complex and the Vallalar Nagar bus terminus at Thanga Salai.
Sekarbabu said efforts were underway to complete and open at least 40 projects for public use before the elections. He added that 770 housing units constructed opposite the Government Stanley Medical College and Hospital would soon be inaugurated by Chief Minister MK Stalin.
The Chief Minister had also ordered the upgradation of 57 senior citizens' homes in Chennai and an increase in the daily food allowance, he said.