SALEM: The TVK-led government, which stands with the support of its allies, is like a chair resting on multiple legs and may collapse if that support is withdrawn, said AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Saturday.
Addressing a thanksgiving meeting in Edappadi constituency, Palaniswami launched a sharp attack on the TVK-led government and questioned the implementation of election promises made by TVK president and Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. “One month has passed since the government assumed office. Has any newborn received the promised gold ring? Have any of these schemes been implemented?” he asked.
On Vijay’s election campaign claim that Tamil Nadu’s debt had crossed Rs 10 lakh crore, Palaniswami questioned how the government planned to finance its welfare promises. “If Rs 2,500 is to be given every month to 1.5 crore women, nearly Rs 45,000 crore will be required annually,” he said. Palaniswami also criticised the government’s announcement after its first cabinet meeting that 436 schemes would be completed, saying no details had been provided regarding the government departments involved or the financial allocations. “There are only announcements and promises. No details have been given on implementation,” he said.
Drawing a comparison with the DMK government’s implementation of the monthly assistance scheme for women, Palaniswami claimed that the benefit was introduced only after sustained pressure from the AIADMK in the Assembly.
Responding to the claims of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay that honest officers had been appointed, he said the same officials had served under both the AIADMK and the DMK governments. “If officials alone are responsible for governance, then why should people elect a government?” he asked.
Highlighting AIADMK’s performance in Salem district, EPS said the party had won seven seats, the highest in the state and asserted that genuine party workers would never leave the movement. “We will once again earn the support of the people and form the government,” he said.