TIRUPPUR: The central government is not pushing the three-language policy anywhere, said L Murugan, Union Minister of State, in Avinashi on Monday.
"If people want, they can learn. I ask DMK functionaries not to engage in linguistic politics regarding this matter," he explained the Centre's stand on the issue while replying to reporters.
He alleged "the DMK and its ally, the Congress, did not take even a single measure for the development of Tamil while they were in power at the centre".
"Our Prime Minister respects the Tamil language. We are spearheading various initiatives for the growth of the Tamil language, including the Kashi Tamil Sangamam. Wherever the Prime Minister goes, he speaks on the proud legacy of Tamil,” Murugan said.
Murugan filed his nomination papers on Monday for contesting from the Avinashi Assembly constituency in Tiruppur district. On his chances, he said: "“In Avinashi, the National Democratic Alliance will certainly win by a margin of about 75,000 votes.
The Prime Minister's welfare schemes have already reached the people here. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami gave the Athikadavu-Avinashi scheme for the people of this constituency. This scheme has improved the livelihoods of farmers.”
“At the same time, under the DMK regime, everything, including power tariffs, property taxes, and registration fees, has increased. Besides, there is an unsafe environment for women in the state. Law and order has collapsed under the DMK regime. For these reasons, the people are angry with the DMK government. So people will throw the DMK government out,” he added.
Responding to TNIE's question as to whether he would resign from his ministerial post, he said, “There are no such mandatory norms. We can look into that after the election.”
Further, he said, “Nilgiris MP A Raja is the constituency in-charge of the DMK here. He is using 2G scam money here. Raja and Senthil Balaji have planned to deceive the people of Avinashi using corrupt money, but the people of Avinashi will ignore it.”
G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Coal and Mines, who was with Murugan, said, “The people of Tamil Nadu are against family rule and corruption. They expect growth and employment opportunities. And, people’s desire is a 'double engine' government.”
Earlier, Murugan visited the Avinashilingeswarar Temple and arrived in a procession to file his nomination papers at the Avinashi Taluk Office.
After Murugan, it was DMK candidate V Kokilamani's turn to file her nomination papers.
Speaking to reporters, she said, “The people in the Avinashi constituency favour the DMK. The image that Avinashi is an AIADMK stronghold will be shattered in the upcoming election. Even if the BJP candidate is a minister, people wield the power in the election.”
Police closed shops in the area when the NDA and DMK candidates arrived to file their nomination papers at the Taluk Office.