Sonia Gandhi: Secret pact exists between Jayalalithaa and BJP

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday accused the ruling AIADMK of supporting the Narendra Modi government at the Centre in Parliament even when funds for crucial social welfare and rural development schemes were cut.

“Narendra Modi government has reduced funds for crucial social welfare and rural development schemes meant for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women and children. Yet, the AIADMK does not protest and continues to support the Modi government in Parliament in Delhi,” she said addressing an election rally at the Island Grounds while sharing the dais with DMK chief M. Karunanidhi.

Coming down heavily on the ruling AIADMK government, calling it “anti-people”, Mrs Gandhi accused the state government and the AIADMK of failing to help the people when the city faced devastating floods. “I salute the people of Chennai and Tamil Nadu for their courage and resilience. It was not the government and not the AIADMK, it was the people who came forward to help one another in the long hours of fear and distress,” she said.

“At that time of your suffering did your government come forward to help Did AIADMK come and wipe your tears Did they care to extend their helping hand to you Did they bother to provide you relief that you so badly needed ” she asked. “The finance minister of India promised to settle the insurance claims within four weeks but it is now four months and no such thing has happened,” she said.

Taking on the AIADMK government for amending the pro-farmer land acquisition act brought by the then Congress-led UPA government at the Centre, she said that Tamil Nadu was the first state to amend the historic law which goes completely against the interest of the farmers. “Written consent of farmers will no longer be required for acquiring your land. Now your land can be forcibly acquired without compensation,” she said.

She claimed that the “firm and uncompromising” position taken by the DMK-Congress alliance on banning liquor sale forced chief minister and AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa to clarify her stand. “We are committed to brining back a government which will work and protect the interest of all sections of society, especially of farmers, women, children and youth,” she said.

Recalling his party’s alliance with Congress form the time of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Mr Karunanidhi said that the alliance between DMK and Congress is a strong one. He assured that if DMK comes to power, it would establish a secular and democratic government at the state. Mr Karunanidhi, who made a very short speech lasting 16 minutes after introducing all the candidates contesting in the city, did not make any reference to the release of AIADMK’s manifesto. Referring to Jayalalithaa’s 110 statement announcement on building a statue for ‘Tamil Thai’ in Madurai at a cost of Rs 100 crore on the lines of the Statue of Liberty in New York, he said it was one of the several unfulfilled promises made by Jayalalithaa. He also criticised the State government on its failure on law and order front.