CM Stalin accuses BJP of plotting violence in Tamil Nadu
Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday accused the BJP of conspiring to carry out violence in Tamil Nadu, allegedly on the lines of Uttar Pradesh and Manipur and asserted that it was outmanoeuvred.
Addressing a DMK rally here for the upcoming Assembly polls, Stalin, the president of the ruling DMK, listed schemes implemented in the Tiruchirappalli region by his Government.
He referred to initiatives including Panchapur bus terminus, mini-stadium, jallikattu arena, model schools and combined drinking water schemes. Soon after his party forms the government again, a mega library named after Kamarajar, a TIDEL park and an Olympic Academy will be inaugurated in the region, and Tiruchirappalli’s development is a challenge to the Capital city of Chennai, he said.
During the past 5 years, for Tiruchirappalli, Rs 26,066 crore worth of projects have been completed and “that is why I have come seeking your votes,” Stalin said.
Asserting that his regime successfully implemented assurances made ahead of the 2021 Assembly polls, including fare-free travel for women in buses, he underscored that 9 lakh students received assistance of Rs 1,000 per month for higher education.
In January this year, a Rs 3,000 cash gift was provided to all rice ration card-holders for the harvest festival Pongal.
He referred to the disbursal of Rs 5,000 to 1.31 crore women beneficiaries in February — Rs 1,000 assistance per month; provided for 3 months in advance in addition to Rs 2,000 summer grant — and the assured pension plan announced for State Government employees (TAPS).
Further, he said: “Above all, there is no caste riot in Tamil Nadu, no religious riots like those seen in the BJP-ruled states. No events of mob violence like the ones seen in Uttar Pradesh. No continuous violence like in Manipur.”
He claimed: “We have also thwarted the conspiracies made by the BJP to create all these things. It is because of the peaceful environment and skilled human resources under our governance that investments are coming to Tamil Nadu today. This growth must be taken to the next level. I have released the DMK election manifesto as a clear action plan for that.”
Quoting from the manifesto, he assured that the Rs 1,000 provided monthly as “rights grant” for women will be doubled to Rs 2,000.
Under the Pudhumai Penn and Tamil Puthalvan schemes, college students currently receiving Rs 1,000 per month will get Rs 1,500. The breakfast scheme will be extended up to Class 8, benefiting 15 lakh students, Stalin said.
Under the proposed “Illatharasi” scheme, homemakers will be given Rs 8,000 worth of coupons to purchase or exchange household appliances like washing machines, refrigerators, TVs, grinders, mixers, microwave ovens, and induction stoves-from shops, brands, and models of their choice, he added.
Stalin said the alliance formed by the AIADMK, which had pushed Tamil Nadu into decline across all sectors during its decade-long rule (2011-21), and the BJP, which had led the nation to an unprecedented downfall, must be handed a “customary defeat” in this election as well.
Palaniswami, out of envy over the DMK’s poll promise of giving Rs 8,000 coupons to homemakers, had labelled it a corrupt plan, the chief minister said. Such an allegation was levelled by a leader “who was running a regime solely to award contracts to his relatives,” Stalin claimed.
He emphasised that every product provided by the DMK regime to people -- under welfare schemes -- was of high quality. He cited the example of Late DMK chief Karunanidhi’s colour TV promise.
“After winning the election and forming the Government, Karunanidhi formed a committee comprising all parties, including the opposition AIADMK, to ensure transparent and high-quality procurement. By September 2006, the distribution began, and over 1.5 crore colour televisions were delivered to Tamil households. Nearly twenty years later, those sets still functioned in many homes-not merely as colour TV sets but as enduring symbols of quality.”
In contrast, Stalin alleged that the mixer-grinders and fans distributed during the AIADMK regime had ended up in scrap shops. He claimed that Palaniswami, despite such a ‘’record,’’ continued to speak recklessly as if he could say anything with impunity.
Stalin also assured that over 20 lakh farmers availing free electricity will be given modern pump sets without meters. Paddy procurement price will be increased to Rs 3,500 per quintal. Sugarcane procurement price will be raised to Rs 4,500 per ton. Milk procurement price will be raised by Rs 5 per litre. Old Age Pension (OAP) will be increased to Rs 2,000 per month. Assistance for differently-abled individuals will be increased to Rs 2,500 per month.
BJP Conspiracies will fail: DEPUTY CM
Tirupattur: Tamil Nadu Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin on Wednesday said the BJP’s “conspiracies” will be defeated and the TN team will ensure a win in the April 23 election. Campaigning for the party candidates in Natrampalli and Vaniyambadi in Tirupattur district, he said the BJP was aware that it cannot win at the hustings and so was planning to make an entry through the polls.
“We will defeat the conspiracies of the BJP, which wants to rule Tamil Nadu from Delhi with old and new slaves, in the 2026 Assembly elections,” Udhayanidhi said.
Let us work tirelessly and ensure that the Tamil Nadu team wins and usher in the Dravidian model 2.O regime,” Udhayanidhi said and exuded confidence that the DMK-led alliance will win.
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, who has faced electoral defeat ten times, should be made to face a complete rout this time too, he said while garnering votes for the DMK candidates: Kavitha Dhandapani and Nallathambi.
