Edappadi K Palanisamy was speaking after kick starting a hunger agitation in Coimbatore The opposition leader blamed the government for step motherly attitude to Coimbatore and noted that no schemes were brought to the district in the past 18 months of DMK rule.
Coimbatore: Protesting against the hike in prices of property tax, electricity tariff hike, hike in milk price and construction materials the AIADMK staged a hunger agitation at Sivananda Colony condemning the Tamil Nadu government.
The hunger strike, led by former minister S P Velumani, was kickstarted by former chief minister and AIADMK interim general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami.
Palaniswami, who delivered the keynote address at the hunger agitation said that the protest is against the hike in property tax, milk prices and electricity tariff hike.
While noting that in the past 8 months of DMK rule, no scheme worth its name was brought to the people of Coimbatore district the former Chief Minister said that Tamil Nadu has not witnessed any development either.
"The DMK government should wake up from Kumbhakarna's slumber and do good to the people" Palanisamy said vociferously.
While alleging that In Tamil Nadu, the first family rules the roost he said a "corporate company" is ruling Tamil Nadu now. The 10-year-old AIADMK rule was a golden rule. A lot of projects were brought in and implemented. Chief Minister M. K. Stalin has no locus standi to speak against the erst while AIADMK government Palanisamy noted.
While listing out the schemes implemented in the district during the former AIADMK regime, Palanisamy said Kudimaramathu project, check dams, Pillur Third phase drinking water project were all implemented during AIADMK rule, Projects such as the Athikadavu-Avinashi project, flyovers, new government medical colleges, government arts colleges were brought in the state.
"The DMK government is now only inaugurating schemes which were originally brought in during the AIADMK regime. After the DMK government formed the government, various projects such as flyovers in Coimbatore and Vellalore integrated bus stand were shelved. The DMK has not fulfilled the promises it made during the assembly elections". Palanisamy alleged.
"The DMK government has also stopped the development and welfare schemes brought in by the AIADMK regime. The people of Coimbatore will be agitated if they put on hold the schemes that are supposed to reach the people due to any political vendetta" Palanisamy said.
"If Stalin, who has been constantly critical of the AIADMK, does not see the schemes brought by the AIADMK government, let him wear eye glasses to see them in better light when he visits Coimbatore the next time".the former Chief minister noted.
Alleging that Coimbatore district stands neglected during the DMK rule, he said this is due to plain political vendetta. He also noted that the city roads are full of pot holes which causes inconvenience to the motorists and the general public.
"The general public has been severely affected by the increase in property tax and electricity tariff. when industry and the general public are returning to normal life after Corona phase, is it acceptable to increase the electricity tariff/" Palani samy questioned.
"Palanisamy also noted that compensation should be given to those who have given land to Bharathiar University and wanted the the brick production be revived.. The handing over of Government tea plantations to the forest department should be stopped and the DMK government should take immediate steps to implement the Anaimalai -Nallar project" Palanisamy said.
While noting that it was during the former AIADMK regime that the 7.5 per cent internal quota was brought in to effect,, Palanisamy said the AIADMK government received several awards from the Central government in various fields such as, medicine, health, transport and co-operation. "It was the AIADMK that resolved the cauvery water dispute also" Palanisamy claimed.
While alleging that whenever the DMK comes to power, the law and order situation used to deteriorate, he said the police, who have seized the vehicles that the AIADMK cadres used to arrive at the protest, should behave judiciously. Palanisamy warned that the AIADMK functionaries.should not be disturbed unnecessarily lest the consequences will be disastrous.
While noting "Is it very important to ask the Health Minister how the film 'Kalaga Thalaivan' starring Stalin's son is doing while he is on a padayatra? Palanisamy said and added that "there is no respect in the DMK party for those who work for the DMK. Those who have left the AIADMK and are ministers and MLAs in the DMK should not listen to the DMK and do wrong things" Palanisamy said.
Adding that the fasting protest will be held in all town panchayats in Tamil Nadu on December 9, municipal corporations on December 13 and panchayat unions on December 12. the former chief minister said."What is wrong in us meeting the Governor and submitting a petition to the Governor during the DMK rule, just like the DMK met the Governor and submitted a memorandum against the AIADMK in the past.. "The AIADMK will win all the 40 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections" Palanisamy noted.
Former Minister SP Velumani, who addressed the gathering, said, "The DMK government is deceiving Tamil Nadu. The AIADMK is deceiving Coimbatore by stalling the projects brought in by the former government. Only if Edappadi Palanisamy returns back as chief minister, there will be a new dawn for the state. "Stalin has not met the press for one-and-a-half years". SP Velumani alleged.
More than 2000 cadres, including AIADMK legislators from Coimbatore district, party functionaries, participated in the hunger agitation.
Earlier in the day, Puthiya Tamizhagam party leader Krishnasamy handed over the invitation to Edappadi Palanisamy inviting him for the conference to be organised by his party.