They may be rationalists and atheists but the leaders of Dravidian ideology selected the auspicious Pongal day to declare their election promises to the people of Tamil Nadu. MK Stalin, president of the DMK who is also the Leader of the Opposition, made it known that the ‘crisis ridden’ farm sector in the State stands to gain a big fortune if they vote him and his party to power in the upcoming election to the legislative assembly. Even Kamal Haasan, the cine actor-turned founder of Makkal Neethi Maiam chose the Pongal day to declare his plan of action for Tamil people.
“We will write off all farm loans and jewel loans. You should remember that the last time we came to power in 2006, the first thing done by Kalaignar (late Chief Minister M Karunanidhi) after the swearing in of his government was to issue an order waiving of cooperative loans worth Rs 7,000 crore. This time we will waive of all agriculture loans including jewel loans,” declared Stalin on Friday.
He also made it known that the DMK was not against Hindus as made out by the Fascist forces like the RSS, BJP and other Hinutwa forces. “The DMK is a political party which believes in the ideology of one god, one race that was propounded by party founder C N Annadurai. People will not believe the allegations made by the Hindutwa leaders,” said Stalin.
The AIADMK is on a media blitzkrieg issuing jacket advertisements to all major newspapers in the State. A pro-Left daily in English has been carrying full page advertisements for the last few days listing the achievements made by the AIADMK Government during the last five years. The internal power struggle in the party is visible in the advertisements which feature pictures of Annadurai, MGR, Jayalalithaa and Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswamy. There is no mention about AIADMK steering committee coordinator and deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam in these publicity series running into crores of rupees.
A hurt Panneerselvam chose to strike back, without much fanfare. His followers put up advertisements in all friendly vernacular dailies and Tamil TV channels eulogizing the chosen heir of Amma (J Jayalalithaa). Interestingly, there was no mention of Palaniswamy in the advertisements. Panneerselvam, it is reliably learnt that, is sad that the camp followers of Palaniswamy ignored and blacked out his contribution in getting the ban on Jallikkattu lifted by the Centre through ordinances. He is yet to forget the unceremonious manner in which he was evicted from the chair of the chief minister.
Kamal Haasan said he would launch a Ministry of Possibilities, once he was sworn in as chief minister. “As part of my plans to usher in Industrial Revolution 4.0, it is a must that we should have a ministry like this to cater to science and technology, start-ups, and innovation. Also in my agenda is the development of less developed regions in Tamil Nadu,” said the actor. While the AIADMK and DMK offer more IT Parks in the State, Hassan declared that he would set up skill development parks in all districts in Tamil Nadu.
The AIADMK, BJP, the Congress, the PMK, the Hindu Makkal Katchi, and other fringe parties are expected to declare their plans of action in the coming days.