Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

People pin their hopes on the new government

Susan Muthalaly

Prominent citizens of the city air their views on regime change "Various viewpoints would help, especially with a common minimum programme like the one at the Centre."

CHENNAI : Hopeful of the new government — one they hope will be more approachable.

This is the reaction of some of Chennai's prominent citizens who were queried about their views on the new government.

The Principal of Loyola College, Albert Muthumalai, has several reasons to be glad about the change in government. "It was what we were expecting anyway," he said.

Loyola College had a run in with the previous government when the Chief Minister wanted to reserve 80 per cent of the MCA seats for government and leave 20 for the management. The college authorities settled the matter in court, reverting to status quo of 70 per cent for management and 30 per cent for government.

Their attempts to get a hearing with Ms. Jayalalithaa to discuss getting the deemed university status for the college also proved futile, said Fr. Muthumalai. "This government will be more approachable," he predicted.

And finally, he hopes that the staff vacancies pending since 2000 due to retirement or death will be filled. "The lack of staff in colleges, especially government colleges, brings down educational standards. We appointed our own management staff. But aided posts sanctioned by the government (with UGC salary) makes it easier to main stability," he said.

Writer and women's activist Sivasankari said she was looking forward to a coalition government, as it seems to work at the Centre. "We've had one party rule for so many years. Various viewpoints would help, especially with a common minimum programme like the one at the Centre."

She said there was no use being upset that one party did not win, and suggested that "... instead of regretting anything, look at the positive side."

Founder chairperson of Apollo Group of Hospitals Pratap C. Reddy said he hoped the promises the DMK made to the people would be kept. He suggested that the new government concentrate on giving health insurance access to rural people. "This is the decade when health care will drive the economy... there is potential to employ 35-40 million people in this sector [from the current 3.8 million]," said Dr. Reddy.

Table tennis player Sharath Kamal said Ms. Jayalalithaa started schemes for sportspersons when she was in power, but the DMK continued with the good work, offering scholarships and jobs. He said he has no reason to believe things will be any different this time round.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

A victory for democratic forces, says DPA
DMK men celebrate in style
City springs a surprise; seven each for rival fronts
Lab standards under the scanner
Forum hails change in government
People pin their hopes on the new government
First-time voters look into the future with hope
The reactions on the street
"We have the honour of forming a coalition"
Close contests in Harbour, Perambur
DMK retains Tambaram seat
Disappointed, but not dejected
An Independent who stood to gain
Vijayakant party's impressive show
The Hindu MetroPlus Food Guide released
Valarmathi defeated by DMK's Anbarasan in Alandur
Technology alone "can bridge gap between rich and poor"
Happy to churn out Chief Ministers
Dharmendra as brand ambassador
Celebration time
Sweet victory
Around the City
In Chennai Today

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu