Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Check the anti-people regime: DMK

By R.K.Radhakrishnan

The DMK president, M. Karunanidhi, campaigning for the party at Kalandhar in the Vaniyambadi Assembly constituency on Tuesday. At right is the candidate, Nagoor Hanifa. _ Photo: K. Pichumani.

VANIYAMBADI May 21. Hoping to cash in on the negative vote, as a result of the across-the-board hike in the rates of essential services effected by the AIADMK Government, the DMK president, M. Karunanidhi, on the first day of his campaign in the Vaniyambadi Assembly constituency today, focussed on the need for teaching the Jayalalithaa Government a ``lesson''.

Whatever the subject — imposition of fresh taxes or withdrawal of egg from the noon meal scheme — Mr.Karunanidhi ended urging the people to check the ``reckless, anti-people AIADMK regime.'' Otherwise, the people would end up as the sufferers. The DMK was the lone voice of Opposition and the people should help to strengthen it. There was no attempt to please any religious section.

Though he referred to the DMK's main ally here, Pattali Makkal Katchi, Mr.Karunanidhi did not mention the BJP. He also did not touch on national problems and confined himself to ``people's issues.'' His own arrest during June last too did not figure in his speeches. The personal touch was restricted to recalling his association with DMK men in villages around Vaniyambadi.

Mr. Karunanidhi referred to the welfare schemes implemented by the DMK Government and said his party always worked for the poor and weaker sections. But almost all these concessions and measures were withdrawn by the AIADMK Government, he alleged. Now, people were burdened with price hikes, fresh taxes and transport fare increase, he said.

The campaign in Vaniyambadi, which witnesses a serious contest, saw the DMK president venture into villages he had visited many decades ago. All along the path were people, to catch a glimpse of the leader. But not all were his supporters. At Kodiyur, women and men, openly declared to the DMK men in the convoy: ``We will vote only for Two Leaves (AIADMK symbol).''

Though not in reply, Mr.Karunanidhi said, in a nearby village, he was not particularly worried about success or defeat; he had accepted both from the people.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Check the anti-people regime: DMK
• 10 CRPC companies coming for Saidapet poll
• Security vigil stepped up for Jayalalithaa
• All set for professional course admissions
• Homage paid to Rajiv
• DVAC raid unearths deep-rooted malady in RTO
• Wildlife population healthy at Top Slip

Copyright © 2002, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu