The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : `Get ready to end corrupt rule'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 13, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

`Get ready to end corrupt rule'

By R.K. Radhakrishnan and D. Raju

By R.K. Radhakrishnan

and D. Raju

DINDIGUL, MARCH 12. A zonal conference of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam began at Kottaipatti in this district today with its leaders calling on the cadres to prepare themselves to end the "corrupt and anti-people" All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) rule and bring back the "glorious" DMK regime.

They outlined the many development schemes launched by the previous DMK regime and appealed to the people to decide whether the AIADMK Government accomplished even a fraction of what it had done. Even now, the Central Ministers of the DMK were in the forefront of taking up Tamil Nadu's issues but were not getting support from the State Government, the leaders said.

The conference organiser and former Minister, I. Periasamy, listed the developmental schemes the DMK Government implemented in the area. It was the DMK that cared for this backward and water-starved region. Hence, "the regime-tree that is spreading pollution in Tamil Nadu needs to be pulled down in a democratic manner under the leadership of Kalaignar." This conference is the path towards that goal, he said.

The senior leader, Ko.Si. Mani, said those talking ill of the DMK chief, M. Karunanidhi, would soon get a fitting reply. He would soon assume office as Chief Minister for the fifth time. Mr. Mani said the developmental work carried out by the DMK when it was in power was unparalleled.

`It is time for change'

The former Minister, Rehman Khan, said the time for change had arrived. Even this conference adopted a resolution demanding job reservation for Muslims, as was done in some other States.

The Union Ministers of State, Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan and S.S. Palanimanickam, charged that the State Government was not taking interest in implementing schemes sponsored by the Centre. They listed the schemes and alleged that they were not getting adequate cooperation from the State Government for implementation.

Mrs. Jagadeesan said the next zonal conference would be held in "Kongu naadu" (in one of the western districts).

The senior DMK leaders made it clear that the conference aimed at enthusing the cadres and making them aware of their responsibilities at a time when the elections were hardly a year away. This was important for the DMK as it attributed the party's defeat in the 2001 Assembly elections to laxity on the part of the cadres.

Many top leaders, including the general secretary, K. Anbazhagan, then said the party volunteers had assumed that the unprecedented developmental work undertaken by the DMK would see it through the polls.

`Nothing will be left to chance'

This time around, the leaders say, nothing will be left to chance. Most leaders including Mr. Karunanidhi's son, M.K. Azhagiri, were present at the conference.

All partners in the Democratic Progressive Alliance will affirm their commitment to work for unseating the AIADMK at the valedictory session tomorrow.

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