Commencing the battle for the ballots, Chief Minister and AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa on Monday told the electorate that the 2014 Lok Sabha poll was not merely an exercise to bring about a change of guard at the Centre but an opportunity to change the nation’s destiny by putting an end to the decade-long dynastic rule and corruption. “It won’t be sufficient to restore democratic rule at the Centre, but the AIADMK should be part of the new government. Only then, the rights of the people of Tamil Nadu can be safeguarded and they will be prosperous,” she said, launching the AIADMK’s campaign from the temple town, the birthplace of Dravidian stalwart C N Annadurai. “It is an election for changing the course of the country’s progress and for ensuring the security of the nation from the threat of neighbouring countries,” the Chief Minister reasoned and appealed to the electorate to cast their ballots for the AIADMK and its allies.
In her 40-minute address, the AIADMK supremo mounted a scathing attack on the Congress and its erstwhile ally DMK on many issues and detailed the insufficient attention paid by the UPA government to the safety and security of the nation. As such, she called for removing the present disposition at the Centre.
“In 1947, there was a surge among the people to throw out the British rule, which had looted India’s resources, by making all possible sacrifices; now after 66 years, the nation witnesses a similar surge...
I know you are in a mood to throw out the Congress-led government at the Centre which has plundered and destabilised the country,” Jayalalithaa said.
Recalling that the people of Tamil Nadu had responded to her call for ousting the DMK’s family rule in 2011, a confident Jayalalithaa said, “Now I call upon you to oust the anti-people UPA from power and ensure democratic rule at the Centre... I know you will fulfil my request this time too.”
Despite betrayals by the Congress-DMK combine, she said Tamil Nadu had been marching on the path of progress and listed the welfare schemes being implemented by her government.
But, the CM underscored the point that a State government alone could not resolve all issues confronting it. Inter-state water disputes, Katchatheevu issue, kerosene allocation, coal allocation and attacks on Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy were cited by her in this regard.
She said the Centre was duty-bound to resolve these issues. Instead of finding solutions for them, the Congress-led government was betraying Tamils and Tamil Nadu. Hence, the Lok Sabha elections are a good opportunity to teach a befitting lesson to the Congress and the DMK, she added.
Also Read: