CHENNAI: It is literally raining, albeit with freebies from political parties, to hook voters into transferring their votes to their candidates. It is a quid pro quo, or palming or greasing the hands of voters before they can exercise their franchise
A week ago, AIADMK came up with a slew of promises. Now the new, fledgling actor Joseph Vijay and the DMK had come out with their poll promises, vying with each other to woo voters.
President MK Stalin, on March 29, released his party’s manifesto for the April 23 assembly elections, unveiling a raft of welfare measures, claiming it was the “superstar” of the elections. Stalin said the document moves the next phase of Tamil Nadu’s Dravidian Model of governance. Continuing the past, “DMK manifesto is the hero, but now the Dravidian manifesto is the superstar”.
DMK said “ the introduction of the ‘Illatharasi ‘(housewives or queen of house) coupon scheme for women in which woman from households who are not under income tax bracket will receive a one-time coupon worth Rs. 8,000 to buy or replace household electronic goods, home appliances like TV, refrigerator, washing machine, mixie , microwave oven or induction stove. DMK also assure to double the financial assistance under “ Kalaignar Maglir Urimai Thogai (KMUT- women’s rights grant scheme) from Rs. 1,000 to 2,000 and include new eligible women. The CM’s breakfast scheme will be expanded to cover students up to class 8, benefiting around 15 lakh students. The monthly education grant for gilr sunder the Puthumai Penn and Tamil Pudhalvan schemes will be rised from Rs.1000 tio1,500. The old-age pension would be raised from ₹1,200 to ₹2,000, while persons with disabilities would receive Rs 2,500.
Stalin assuring to take the TN to next stage saying it has emerged a leading state under the Dravidian model of governance. The manifesto outlines a 10-year vision for sustained welfare and equitable development, promising to strengthen education, healthcare and social security while preserving Tamil Nadu’s reputation as a model welfare state.
Reiterating its commitment to securing Tamil Nadu’s due share from the Centre, in accordance with the recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission, the manifesto said it would make efforts to identify deserving beneficiaries by reducing unnecessary expenditure. Stalin said, “We have achieved double-digit growth”.
DMK has promised to construct five lakh new houses over the next few years under the Kalaignar Kanavu Illam scheme, in addition to 10 lakh houses under an urban housing development scheme. It also proposed housing for Sri Lankan Tamils and the construction of new houses to replace the damaged ones.
DMK has proposed schemes for farmers, including installing motors without meters for those receiving free electricity. It also promised to increase the procurement price to Rs 3,500 for a quintal of paddy and Rs 4,500 for a tonne of sugar cane. A total of 10,500 km of the C and D category irrigation canals in the Cauvery delta districts, along with 5,000 km of canals in other districts, would be desilted. DMK proposed a scheme to distribute milking machines to suppliers across 3,000 milk cooperative societies
TVK ‘s poll promises
Targeting the youth and first voters, actor Joseph Vijay’s TVK. He said, “I will never lie and deceive you,” and urged them to give “your Vijay, your brother” a single chance.
TVK promises “graduates above 29 years without a job are promised Rs 4,000 each month, and diploma holders are promised Rs 2,000 per month, aimed at giving basic financial support. TVK promises interest-free loans of up to Rs 20 lakh for students from Class XII to PhD, with no collateral. The government and private sector together are to offer five lakh internships each year. Graduates are promised a stipend of Rs 10,000 per month, while IT graduates are promised Rs 8,000 per month, to give young people work experience and some income.
TVK says” Private firms that recruit at least 75 per cent Tamil natives are promised a 2.5 per cent subsidy on state GST, a five per cent electricity tariff concession, and priority in government procurement.
TVK leader Vijay said, “ to curb drug menace, anti-drug protection zones will be set up in all schools and colleges across Tamil Nadu . it also promises interest-free loans up to Rs 25 lakh for “honest’ young entrepreneurs without any guarantee. Every village panchayat will launch the Chief Minister’s People’s Service Friend Scheme to provide.
Political analysts and economic experts, DMK, AIADMK and newly founded TVK have unleashed a largesse of sort to woo the voters. As rightly questioned by the SC and the HCs, where would the funds for these populist schemes come from? The state is already facing a cash crunch and has borrowed over Rs. 10 lakh crores. There is no mention of how the debts will be repaid. Ultimately, the voters would be burdened with taxes in all forms for the freebies they would be getting. The political parties should show such schemes from their party funds as it is only a bite to win the elections”.
