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PMK dubs UNPA decision to abstain from Presidential poll ‘undemocratic’

Special Correspondent

PUDUCHERRY: Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S. Ramadoss on Tuesday dubbed the decision of the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) to abstain from voting in the July 19 Presidential election “undemocratic.”

At a time when there is a strong feeling that voters abstaining from elections should be slapped with a fine or punished with other action, the alliance’s decision is unjustified, he told reporters here after releasing a document highlighting the performance of PMK Member of Parliament from Puducherry, M. Ramadoss. About the grievance of elected civic bodies in Puducherry that they were being denied administrative and financial powers, he said local bodies at the grassroots of the democratic set-up should have full and constitutionally guaranteed powers, so that there would be no room for corruption.

Dr. Ramadoss attributed the current imbroglio in professional college admissions to the attitude of college managements who were trying to commercialise education.

Lauding the performance of the MP, the PMK leader said his achievements during the third year of his tenure included procuring Rs.1.8 crore from the Centre to mitigate the sufferings caused by floods in the Yanam region, conversion of the name of the Union Territory of Pondicherry as Puducherry, electrification of the broad gauge track between Puducherry and Villupuram and opening of computerised reservation counters in Karaikal and Yanam.

Mr. M. Ramadoss said he had fully utilised the Rs. 3 crore sanctioned under the MP Area Development Scheme for constructing library buildings, community halls and classrooms, laying roads and creating amenities in rural areas, through the District Rural Development Agency.

He said the strike by anganwadi workers here was unjustified, as they were government employees, bound all services conditions, including transfer.

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