The Vanniyar-dominated Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) led by S Ramadoss, who has projected his son Anbumani as the chief ministerial candidate of the party for the 2016 Assembly elections, has some irresistible offers to the people of Tamil Nadu if the party is voted to power. Taking a cue from the Amma Restaurants launched by AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa, which sell idli at Rs1 and meals at Rs5, the PMK, in its shadow budget for 2015-16 has offered tasty and delicious chicken and rabbit delicacies at subsidised prices to the people of Tamil Nadu.
The PMK, which has floated a front led by the party and is waiting for other alliance partners who accept the candidature of Anbumani as Chief Minister, will form Rural Self Help Groups and Graduate Youth Groups all over the State. “The RSHGs and GYGs will be encouraged to take up rearing of country chicken (not broiler or imported varieties), country sheep and rabbits. With the active participation of these self help groups, we will form co-operative restaurants which will offer cooked chicken and rabbit delicacies at affordable rates,” says the shadow budget released by the PMK on Sunday.
The PMK, which always gives emphasis to the rural economy, is of the view that this is going to be a win-win situation for all stake holders viz the farmers, youth and the general public. “The farmers and youth will get better rates for their products while the consumers can take home quality meat products at affordable prices,” says the shadow budget. While all other parties in the State except the AIADMK criticised the Maharashtra Government’s move to make illegal the selling of beef, the PMK has maintained a studied silence over the issue. The shadow budget is also silent about slaughter of cows.
“Our party founder Ramadoss is a medical doctor by profession. Though he does not practice medicine, he knows well what is good for the people,” said a party leader close to Ramadoss. Perhaps the ‘Doctor Ayya’ is cautious about the side effects of eating beef which is known for high fat content, he pointed out. It could be an indirect way of endorsing the ban on selling beef.