‘CM to be jailed in Kodanad case, elect DMK for better governance’

The leader of opposition said that the Chief Minister would be arrested in the Kodanad crime incidents while presiding over a party-organised grama sabha meeting at Thanakkankulam in Madurai.

Calling the AIADMK-led regime inactive and incompetent, he said it was a rule by accident after the demise of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa. Her death is still a mystery and once the DMK was voted to power, its first job would be to conduct probe into her death and punish the guilty.

Recalling the benefits extended to farmers by the DMK, he said the late M Karunanidhi waived off a massive farm loan of Rs 7,000 crore by a single signature. Two days ago Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kolkata spoke against the interest of farmers regarding loan waiver. But, he waived off loans to crorepathis and corporate giants.

Moreover, Modi announced a pittance to farmers in the Union Budget by assuring a mere Rs 6,000 that too in three installments. “While fertilizers cost had been increased by 20 per cent over the last six months how could this aid help the farmers?” he asked.

If the Prime Minister was really concerned about the farmers, he should have dropped five per cent GST on urea and 10 per cent on pesticide. The farmers were only robbed of their money in the form of GST, but no way benefitted from the Centre. Criticising both the Union and state governments, he appealed to the people to dethrone both the ruling parties and elect the DMK for better governance.

After listening to grievances of people, who gathered at the meeting, Stalin said due to absence of local body representatives, common people were devoid of even basic facilities. Unlike the AIADMK, which he said was not interested in conducting civic polls, the DMK once it comes to power will hold the local bodies’ elections.

On women Self-help Groups, the DMK would contemplate on waiving off their loans and also resume provision of revolving funds to its beneficiaries, he said.

Education loan waiver would also find a place in poll manifesto, he added.