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EPS defies all critics, completes 2 yrs as Chief Minister
On February 16, 2017, Edappadi K Palaniswami was sworn in as Chief Minister of the State. Today, he will step into the third year in office having tackled several challenges.
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Chennai
His rise to the top post was not a smooth ride, as there was a political turmoil post the death of J Jayalalithaa on December 5, 2016. The present Deputy Chief Minister, O Panneerselvam, was first appointed the Chief Minister, but was then removed.
It initially seemed Palaniswami would find it difficult to survive, but then he has confounded the critics by sustaining for two years. During this period, he faced several challenges, from both within and outside the party.
While Panneerselvam initially revolted against Palaniswami, Sasikala’s nephew TTV Dhinakaran caused trouble by launching the AMMK and causing the defection of 18 AIADMK legislators.
Dhinakaran constantly threatened Palaniswami that he would dissolve the government, but as days progressed the CM gained strength as Panneerselvam joined hands with him. Even some of the MPs who joined with Dhinakaran returned to the AIADMK. In the last two years, the State government has implemented several welfare schemes. Although some of them were highly popular with the masses, the Opposition parties criticise the ruling AIADMK for its policies.
DMK organising secretary, R S Bharathi, told DT Next: “There is no governance in the State. The State government is acting as a puppet to the Centre.” He also said that the government is run by bureaucrats and the ministers just read the statements given by IAS officers.
“Palaniswami wrongly stated that Kambaramayanam was written by Sekkizhar, while the numbers provided by Panneerselvam while explaining the budget were wrong. Such incidents show the nature of the government,” said Bharathi.
CPI State secretary R Mutharasan said: “The State government has failed to fight for the rights of Tamil Nadu when the Centre implemented policies against the State. For instance, the State assembly passed a resolution against NEET exam, but the Centre did not even consider the resolution passed by the State.”
Govt committed to the welfare of people, says Chief Minister
Chennai: Edappadi K Palaniswami said the State government is functioning on the lines of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. By implementing various welfare schemes, the government is committed to ensure the welfare of the people, he said. “Schemes such as Kudimaramath for the welfare of farming community, Athikadavu- Avinasi water project, two-wheelers for working women at a subsidised price, Rs 2,000 for people below the poverty line, Rs 1,000 as Pongal gift to all ration card holders, ban on plastic from January 1, success of Global Investors Meet-II which saw MOUs to the tune of Rs 3.43 lakh crore being signed were a huge success,” he said. Palaniswami also said that the State was chosen as the best for maintaining law and order, besides being ranked the first in the country in attracting both foreign and domestic tourists.
GOVERNMENT’S TRACK RECORD
Success
- Kudimaramath scheme
- Bikes for working women at a
- subsidised cost
- Ranked first in law and order
- Monetary assistance for Pongal festival and below poverty line (BPL) families
- Success of GIM-II with MOUs worth
- 3.43 lakh crore
Failures
- Failure to stop NEET despite passing resolution in the Assembly
- Failure to resolve Cauvery and Palar river water disputes
- Sterlite police firing
- Farmers protests against Hydrocarbon projects and Chennai-Salem greenfield road project
- Failure to receive pending funds from the Central govt
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