Debts increased under DMK regime: Edappadi K. Palaniswami

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Saturday hit out at Chief Minister M.K. Stalin over the government’s handling of Tamil Nadu’s finances, and said the State’s debt had ballooned since the DMK came to power.

Addressing a public meeting after taking out a road show in Cuddalore, Mr. Palaniswami said ever since the DMK took over the reins four years ago, it had availed itself of loan worth ₹5.38 lakh crore, despite not having implemented any major projects, leaving the State’s finances in the doldrums.

He said that to repay the loan with interest, the DMK collected hefty taxes from the people.

The DMK forgot about the 560 poll promises it made in 2021. Even after promising all women heads of families a monthly aid of ₹1,000, the assistance was given only to “eligible women” after 28 months, that too after the AIADMK raised the issue repeatedly, he added.

Corruption allegations

Mr. Palaniswami further said there was massive corruption since the DMK came to power and that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had uncovered corruption, involving over ₹1,000 crore, in TASMAC.

“The investigation is ongoing. It is possible that TASMAC was involved in corruption of more than ₹40,000 crore. However, the government did not take any action, even after the ED raid,” he said.

Bus stand shifted

He also flayed the DMK government for shifting the integrated bus stand planned in Cuddalore to the local Minister’s constituency in Kurunjipadi.

During the AIADMK rule, 18 acres of land was acquired, and a Government Order issued for the construction of the bus stand near the Cuddalore Collectorate.

But now, it is learnt that the bus stand has been shifted to Kurunjipadi and the work has also begun. This is highly condemnable, he said.