JOIN USAIADMK promises to cut fuel prices, provide govt jobs in poll manifesto
Continuing with its populist measures, the ruling AIADMK on Sunday announced it would provide free washing machines and solar gas stoves to all ration card holders and government jobs for one in each family with no one already in it.
Releasing the manifesto for April 6 assembly elections, the AIADMK said it would urge the Centre to revoke Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and reduce the price of petrol and diesel. It is to be recalled that the AIADMK supported the Bill when it was tabled in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in December 2019. In fact, the 11 AIADMK MPs helped the Bill get passed in the Upper House.
The manifesto, which runs into 75 pages, was released by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, and his deputy O Panneerselvam at the AIADMK head quarters. “We will take these promises to the people. People will vote for us because they know that the Amma's government has a track record of implementing all promises,” Palaniswami said.
Besides free washing machine and solar gas stove, the AIADMK also reiterated its promise of six LPG cylinders free of cost for every household and a monthly assistance of Rs 1,500 to woman heads of families. The manifesto also promised a housing scheme after late J Jayalalithaa under which people who do not have own house in rural areas will get concrete houses.
The manifesto also promised to get the Madras High Court renamed as Tamil Nadu High Court. It also announced concession for women who travel in buses run by the state-owned transport corporation. The party also promised government jobs for one person in each family with none already in it.
Some of the promises made by AIADMK are a repeat of the ones announced by DMK on Saturday. DMK also faced the same criticism from Makkal Needhi Maiam which accused the former of “stealing” its ideas. The manifesto further promised caste-based reservation after the caste census by the government is ready, while announcing that education loans will be waived off.
During his brief interaction with the media, Palaniswami blamed the DMK for Jayalalithaa's death when reporters sought his reaction on the Opposition party promising to get “truth” behind her death. “Everyone knows why Amma died. It was DMK that had her stressed and because of the false cases (she died),” Palaniswami said.