THANJAVUR: Tamil Nadu Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin said that the TVK-led government is dragging the State's development backwards.
Speaking at a wedding function of a party functionary's family in Pattukkottai on Sunday, he pointed out that during the five years of DMK rule, Tamil Nadu was made the number one State in the country with 11.19 per cent growth.
He said that the Chief Minister (C Joseph Vijay) was not bothered about any of the issues plaguing the State. "The people have started realising it", he asserted.
Udhayanidhi Stalin said that when the Opposition party members visit the Assembly, well-prepared to speak on pressing issues like law and order problems, farmers' distress, the Chief Minister Vijay does not rise up to answer.
"Only three to four ministers reply to the questions. Anyhow, they remain irrelevant to the questions asked. The Ministers were only engaged in diversionary tactics," Udhayanidhi added.
"The Ministers and ruling party MLAs do not come to the Assembly to speak about the issues affecting the people. What they needed was just four Instagram reels for the day from the Assembly proceedings", Udhayanidhi said.
The DMK youth wing secretary also pointed out that in the 105 days of TVK rule, the most affected section of society is the farmers.
"During DMK rule, the water from Mettur dam was released on the stipulated date of June 12. Sometimes, even ahead of the date", he said, adding that this year, even at the fag end of August, water is yet to be released from Mettur for Cauvery delta irrigation.
"Kuruvai cultivation has been affected in the delta districts, and the farmers need to be compensated for the loss", Udhayanidhi said.
He also questioned the decision of the government to provide cars to the MLAs.
"While the Chief Minister (C Joseph Vijay) had said there are no funds to waive the crop loans of the farmers completely as promised in the manifesto, the government has now decided to buy cars for the MLAs of the ruling party. Where do these funds come from?" Udhayanidhi asked.
He further added that the DMK president M K Stalin has decided that DMK MLAs will not receive the cars provided by the government.
"I have also told the government to first look after the issues faced by the farmers", Udhayanidhi said.
He also pointed out the TVK-led government had failed to fulfil the poll promises like 2,500 per month for women, six gas cylinders per year, 4,000 per month for unemployed youth, citing financial crunch.