Chennai, Aug 20 (IANS) DMK spokesperson T.K.S. Elangovan on Thursday criticised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s announcement that all MLAs in the state would be provided government-funded vehicles and other facilities, alleging that the government was misleading the people of the state.

The remarks came after the Tamil Nadu government announced it would provide an allowance of Rs 75,000 per month, including fuel and driver costs, and Rs 25,000 per month to hire a personal assistant to help manage constituency work.

Reacting to the announcement, Elangovan questioned the source of funds for the scheme and accused the government of making promises that contradicted its criticism of the previous DMK administration.

Speaking to IANS, Elangovan said, “I don’t know where the money comes from. They are giving cars to MLAs and money for expenditure on cars. Now they are increasing all these things, but they say that the DMK government had failed. They have borrowed so much money and left the treasury vacant. But they are doing all these things. What they say and what they do are different. They are cheating the people of Tamil Nadu.”

Elangovan also reacted to the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to withdraw its directive restricting students and young people from participating in protests. He alleged that the state government may have acted following instructions from the Centre.

“Maybe Delhi instructed them. He is a slave of Delhi. Delhi might have instructed him not to allow it, because they have not allowed the Cockroach Janata Party to fight in Delhi. The same thing they want to do in Tamil Nadu,” he said.

On Karnataka’s reported plans to cut around nine lakh trees for the Mekedatu Dam project, Elangovan said the issue would have to be addressed through the legal and tribunal process.

“It is for the tribunal to decide. We have approached the tribunal. Orders have been given. The Supreme Court has directed the tribunal. They have to release water. For Mekedatu as well, they should seek permission. Without the consent of the Tamil Nadu government, they cannot construct. Let us see,” he said.

Commenting on the Centre’s proposed ‘One Day, One University’ programme, the DMK leader expressed concern about its potential impact on young people.

“They are planning something which is dangerous to the youth,” Elangovan said.

He also criticised the reported inclusion of members with RSS links on a panel involved in preparing a new NCERT political science textbook.

“The RSS and BJP want to change everything. They don’t want anything scientific,” he alleged.

On the Congress party’s stand on singing the two-stanza version of ‘Vande Mataram’, Elangovan said the matter had been settled during the freedom movement.

“This was agreed upon during the time of Independence, that only two stanzas would be sung by Congress leaders who fought for Independence and helped make India an independent nation. But those who supported British rule are now accusing them,” he said, referring to the RSS and other groups.

Reacting to Union Home Minister Amit Shah chairing the Southern Zonal Council meeting in Tamil Nadu, Elangovan termed it a routine exercise and said the DMK would welcome any decisions that benefited the state.

“That is a routine thing. Let us see what happens after the conference is held. If anything good is done for Tamil Nadu, we welcome it,” he said.

–IANS

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