Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu), April 11 AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami on Saturday criticized the DMK government over the flow of funds to the state, and remarked that it was possible for the state to receive funds if it intentionally confronted the central government.
Addressing a joint election campaign with AMMK general secretary T T V Dhinakaran, a constituent of the AIADMK-led NDA in Tamil Nadu, Palaniswami said that political parties could have differences or criticize each other during elections, but after the polls, the elected government should serve the people who voted them into power.
"How can Tamil Nadu get funds if the state government intentionally criticizes the BJP? The DMK could not get funds when it shared power with the Congress at the Centre. Now it is criticizing the BJP, after failing to maintain harmonious ties with the Centre," the former chief minister said.
The DMK government could have obtained the funds required for the people had it maintained a cordial relationship with the Centre, he said.
However, during the last five years of its rule, it had only denied the people the benefits they deserved, the AIADMK general secretary alleged.
"During the then Congress-led UPA regime, a DMK minister involved in the 2G spectrum scam was jailed and another person who is now criticizing me has also been in Tihar jail. She has no qualification to criticize me," he said and reminded that the 2G spectrum case was still pending.
"The DMK is synonymous with scams. DMK is corruption and corruption is DMK, both are inseparable," Palaniswami alleged.
He flayed the DMK's alleged double standards on protecting the rights and interests of Tamil Nadu, as it took up a joint poll campaign with Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who had stated that Karnataka would go ahead with the balancing reservoir project at Mekedatu.
Tamil Nadu has been opposing the project as it would affect the agricultural prospects in the state.
Dhinakaran, who addressed from atop the campaign vehicle, flanked by Palaniswami, said like "brothers", the two were garnering votes for the NDA candidates' victory.
He appealed to the people to oust the "evil DMK".