DMK failed to implement its poll promises: Edappadi K Palaniswami

CHENNAI: The AIADMK on Monday expressed a ‘big disappointment’ over the lack of mention of poll promises of the DMK in the governor’s address, including waiver of educational loan, jewel loan in cooperative banks, self-help group’s loan, monthly allowance for home makers, subsidy for LPG cylinders, reduction of fuel price and hike in relief during fishing ban period.
Speaking to reporters, leader of the opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami alleged that the ruling DMK had indulged in dual talk -- pre-poll and post-poll -- and failed to implement its election promises.
“The DMK made 505 poll promises but none of the important promises were mentioned in the governor address,” the former CM said.
He said chief minister M K Stalin made a pre-poll announcement that NEET would be abolished immediately after DMK took over the reins, but the government had only set up a committee for NEET and would act based on the recommendations.
The AIADMK leader alleged that the state had failed to bring Covid-19 under full control. The government had failed to take efforts to prevent or reduce the cases on a war footing, he said. In fact, the cases were on the rise in the rural areas and the state had not made any efforts to conduct RT-PCR tests, he added.
“The state has high fatalities and many cases are being hidden. Deaths due to Covid were not certified as a result of which the families could not get the financial aid of the governments,” EPS said.
He alleged that there were discrepancies in RT-PCR tests conducted by the state. Salem South MLA had tested positive in government hospital but found negative in a private hospital, he said.
On the DMK’s stand to not cut fuel price now, Palaniswami said the previous AIADMK government had explicitly stated the financial position in the budget presented in February, still the DMK went on to make a poll promise of reduction of fuel price.
“Not that the finance minister (Palanivel Thiagarajan) does not know. He is aware of the situation they announced in the manifesto,” EPS said, taking a dig at the DMK government for taking a dual standard, pre-poll and post-poll.