Tamil Nadu is in 'greatest depression': Vaiko

MAMANDUR: MDMK founder Vaiko, Coordinator of the People's Welfare Front (PWF), which has aligned with DMDK and TMC, today said Tamil Nadu is undergoing "greatest depression" and promised that the mega coalition of six parties would provide a new deal to people, if voted to power in the May 16 Assembly polls.

Referring to the economic crisis of 1929 in the US, the Great Depression, Vaiko told a poll rally here that Tamil Nadu was facing a worse situation as there was "no corruption" in the US during then.

"Today Tamil Nadu is in greatest Depression. Farmlands have gone waste. Neighbouring states are stopping waters in our rivers (interstate disputes) and the Centre is betraying.

"Farmers are not getting the right price for products while there is unemployment even as youth are getting addicted to liquor," he said.

Slamming both DMK and AIADMK for corruption, he said the DMDK-PWF-TMC combine will address the issues affecting the state.

"Tamil Nadu needs a new deal, a new change. We will come to power and provide a new deal," he said.

He said while the DMK was facing 2G spectrum allocation scandal case, in which party leader Kanimozhi and former Union Telecom Minister A Raja are accused, AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa was fighting the disproportionate assets case.

Vaiko also made a slew of promises which include providing single-window clearance for setting up industries, creating Lokayukta, generating employment, uninterrupted power and implementation of prohibition.

He chided DMK President M Karunanidhi for batting for prohibition in his party manifesto today, recalling that it was the latter who relaxed the dry law in 1971, despite pleas from Congress veteran C R Rajagopalachari.

"Karunanidhi had promised prohibition in 1996 and why did he not implement it despite being in power for 10 years after that in different terms," Vaiko asked.

He also slammed the AIADMK over free availability of liquor through state-run outlets.