Chennai: Opposition leader Udhayanidhi on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) during the debate on a confidence motion in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, saying the government’s functioning resembled the film Pushpa rather than “innovative governance”.
Citing voter numbers, he claimed TVK did not receive the backing of a majority of voters. He said 4.93 crore people voted in the Assembly election, of whom 1.72 crore voted for the ruling party, while 3.21 crore voted against it, arguing that the government stood “rejected” by 65% of voters.
Udhayanidhi also questioned the government’s strength on the floor of the House. He said TVK won 108 seats, and alleged that Chief Minister Vijay contested and won from two constituencies before resigning from one seat, without thanking the voters. He further said a court had directed that the TVK MLA from Tirupathur should not take part in voting, leaving the ruling party with 106 MLAs and short of the 118 needed for a majority.
He alleged that the government was formed after letters of support from leaders who contested with his alliance were submitted to the Governor to avoid President’s Rule, and that they had insisted on a secular government. He claimed that later, an MLA from a party that won as part of the BJP alliance was made to support the government without the party leader’s knowledge, and that a split faction of the AIADMK was also brought in to back the government.
Raising questions on election promises, he said people were waiting for the women’s entitlement payment on the 15th of this month, and recalled pre-poll commitments such as ₹2,500 per month for women, six free LPG cylinders a year, and other benefits. He urged the government not to politicise welfare schemes implemented during the previous five years under M K Stalin and demanded that at least some promises be delivered quickly.
