Jayakumar slams Stalin, defends Rs 2K scheme

Addressing reporters at the AIADMK office, Jayakumar said, “Stalin always has the habit of criticising the welfare schemes for people and his intention is to stop the welfare schemes from reaching the people. 

He has taken all possible backdoor methods such as approaching the courts for stopping the welfare schemes, but has failed miserably in his attempts.”

After the success of Rs 1,000 as Pongal monetary gift for all ration card holders, state government announced distribution of Rs 2,000 for all BPL families, unorganised sector workers and so on. 

The announcement of the state government was criticised by the opposition parties, including the DMK, who called the scheme as cash for vote scheme.

Slamming Stalin, Jayakumar questioned the opposition leader whether he can openly admit that he is against the distribution of Rs 2,000 to the BPL families.

“This is a state run on social welfare policies and the government here will uplift all the families. This cannot be compared to cash for vote,” said Jayakumar.

He further questioned Stalin by saying that recently Congress party too announced monthly financial assistance for all BPL families, but why did Stalin refuse to comment on the scheme. 

“Stalin chose to remain silent for the announcement made by Congress, but he is charging the AIADMK government for the same scheme announced here. This proves that the state government is a pioneer for all the social welfare schemes,” said Jayakumar.

The Information Technology (IT) Wing of the AIADMK, on Sunday, decided to maximise the utilisation of social media for propagating their party views and ideology for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and also for the expected by-elections for 21 constituencies. 

The IT wing meeting was held at the party office which was presided over by State Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar.

Raj Sathyan, head of IT wing of the party, delivered the instructions of the party leaders to the IT wing members and passed some of the key resolutions for the upcoming Parliamentary elections.

One of the important resolutions passed in the meeting is the creation of ‘War Room’ for every constituency. 

Taking clue from the BJP IT wing which successfully helped the party win the 2014 Lok Sabha elections by setting up such ‘War Rooms,’ the AIADMK too hopes that the ‘War Rooms’ will provide the necessary fillip for the party in the elections.

Another important resolution wanted the IT wing cadres to maximise the utilisation of WhatsApp. The IT wing cadres were asked to spread the news related to the AIADMK and to forward the messages and pictures carrying the party ideology in all the WhatsApp group that they are part of the party.

It was also decided to give necessary training on handling social media, websites and other IT related services to the IT wing members. For the purpose, 150 new persons would be constituted per every Lok Sabha seat and zonal level consultation meetings would be held to win the Lok Sabha elections with the help of IT.

The IT wing also decided to rope in students by creating groups in colleges under the banner ‘Plastic Free Tamil Nadu.’ Presentation of infographics on the usage of plastics and the harm it creates to the environment will be shown to the students to create awareness among the future of the society.