The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), a political party promoted by the dominant Vanniyar community, declared on Wednesday that it would make Tamil Nadu a liquor-free and free bees-free State if voted to power in the next Assembly election. “We will declare a total prohibition of liquor in Tamil Nadu the day we assume power. The first order to be issued by the PMK-led Government would be to shut down all liquor shops in the State,” announced Anbumani Ramadoss,the Chief Ministerial candidate of the PMK on Wednesday.
launching the website www.anbumani4cm.com, an exclusive portal promoting him among the people of the State, Anbumani Ramadoss (47) said the PMK would bring the much-needed change in Tamil Nadu. “Even 15-year-old schoolgirls have started consuming alcohol. Smoking and chewing paan have become an addiction among children. The DMK and the AIADMK which alternately ruled the State for the last 50 years are responsible for this scenario,” charged Anbumani, a former Union Minister of Health in the UPA Government and son of PMK founder Ramadoss.
He said he chose Wednesday to launch his official campaign as chief minister because it was the birthday of the legendary K Kamaraj, the former chief minister of Tamil Nadu. “Kamaraj brought in revolutionary changes in Tamil Nadu. He was instrumental in opening 12,000 schools to promote education. He also introduced noon meal scheme. But the 50 years rule of Dravidian parties saw that the number of liquor shops in the State crossing the 7000 mark. The Kamaraj era stands out for transparency, honesty, integrity and simplicity, the qualities destroyed by the Dravidians,” said Anbumani.
The PMK scion said no free colour TVs, grinders , mixies or fans would be distributed by his party if it comes to power. “Instead of giving free fish to the people, we will teach them how to fish. The PMK has prepared a blue print for the development of Tamil Nadu and how to compensate for the revenue loss due to prohibition,” he said.
Once the illegal mining of sand and mineral sand in the State is banned, Tamil Nadu stands to gain `84,000 crore per year, he said. “Change and Progress with Anbumani is going to be our war cry for the election. We are ready to align with any parties except the DMK and the AIADMK and which accept the PMK’s programmes,” he said.