CHENNAI: State Minister for Natural Resources S Regupathy on Saturday hit back at the Opposition leader Edappadi Palaniswami over poll promises, claiming that the announcement was aimed at creating confusion among the public by replicating welfare schemes already implemented by the ruling DMK government.
In a statement, Regupathy said AIADMK general secretary Edappadi Palaniswami had announced poll assurances such as Rs 2,000 assistance to women, free bus travel, and housing for all—schemes that were already being implemented by the DMK government under various names, including the Magalir Urimai Thogai and Vidiyal Payanam.
He alleged that the Leader of the Opposition was copying government initiatives, which, he said, reflected the success and public acceptance of DMK's welfare programmes. The minister added that the repetition of ruling party schemes in the AIADMK's poll promises showed a lack of original ideas and confidence.
Terming the announcements as "fake poll promises," Regupathy said Palaniswami had accepted his defeat even before the election schedule was announced. He also questioned the haste with which the AIADMK had released its poll assurances.
The AIADMK has no new ideas to present before the people. Its general secretary has nothing fresh to offer, and the public will not be misled by such announcementsS Regupathy
Meanwhile, Minister for Industries TRB Rajaa also criticised the AIADMK's poll promises, stating that the Chief Minister had already implemented the very schemes that the LoP had earlier criticised.
"The AIADMK general secretary has failed to come up with new ideas and is merely recycling the DMK's welfare schemes," Rajaa said.