Salem: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Saturday questioned the state government’s plan to build a new Secretariat, arguing that Tamil Nadu is already burdened with debt.
Speaking at a public meeting in Salem to mark former Chief Minister C N Annadurai’s 118th birth anniversary, Palaniswami said the government had earlier released a white paper stating the state carried a debt of Rs 10 lakh crore. In that context, he asked whether a new Secretariat costing Rs 1,200 crore was necessary, adding that it would have to be built by borrowing again.
Palaniswami also accused the ruling dispensation of weakening the dignity of the Assembly and claimed that more time was spent on “unnecessary talk” than on public issues. He further alleged that corruption was widespread, with bribes being demanded across the state.
On law and order, he claimed that 250 murders and over 300 sexual assault cases had occurred during the current regime. Citing frequent power cuts, he said even residents in Chief Minister Vijay’s constituency of Chennai–Perambur were protesting. Palaniswami said people would “teach a lesson” to the government in the two constituencies going to bypolls.
He also referred to remarks by a CPI(M) state leader warning that the government’s approach was not right, and said the Left parties were contesting against the ruling side in the bypolls, calling the administration unstable.
