Cong's Wayanad housing project delayed due to lack of timely clearance from Left govt: Priyanka
Wayanad(Kerala) (PTI): Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi on Tuesday claimed that the party's housing project for victims of the Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslides was delayed due to lack of clearances from the ruling Left government in Kerala.
Priyanka, addressing a UDF corner meeting at Kalpetta here, claimed that the clearances were given for the project of Congress only after the township of the LDF was inaugurated.
"I am sure my colleagues in the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) faced the same problems," she contended.
Her remarks come amidst allegations of irregularities against Congress in connection with its collection of funds for the Wayanad housing project and utilisation of the money, putting the party on the back foot.
Priyanka also attacked Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, questioning why there were no cases against him, despite facing several corruption accusations, when those opposing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP are facing probes by central agencies.
"So, it is clear that they have a secret deal and they are working together for their own political benefit," she alleged.
She further alleged that during the last 10 years of LDF rule in Kerala, there has been widespread corruption, an increase in unemployment, the state has been put under an immense financial debt, and taxes have gone up, making life difficult for the people.
Referring to the increasing man-animal conflict in the hill-regions, the Congress MP from Wayanad said that political will and working together are required for finding a solution to this problem, but the LDF was not up for the task.
She urged voters to cast their ballot in favour of the UDF in the April 9 polls as "the LDF works for the corporates and not the common people".
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Focus on Vijay's poll promises; TVK assured 8 gm gold for women
Chennai (PTI): As the new-entrant TVK appears likely to emerge as the single largest party and form the government, the focus has now turned into actor-politician Vijay's poll promises, including 8 gm gold for marriage, which is worth about Rs 14,000 per gram (22 carat).
Vijay's assurances in the party manifesto include Rs 2,500 monthly assistance for women below 60 years, 8 gm gold for marriage and six free cooking gas cylinders a year, per family.
By 3 PM, as per EC data, Vijay's party is leading in 105 constituencies and it falls short of a simple majority (118) in the Assembly.
The actor-turned-politician also assured a quality silk saree in addition to gold for indigent brides and interest-free loans up to Rs 5 lakh for women-run SHGs. He assured corruption-free good governance if voted to power in his maiden electoral fight.
The manifesto also laid importance on education. To prevent school dropouts, mothers or guardians of children studying in government and state-aided schools will receive Rs 15,000 annually.
Vijay promised 100 special residential schools named after iconic leader K Kamaraj, credited with revolutionising education in the state, and higher education loans of up to Rs 20 lakh. The TVK founder also assured AI Ministry, AI University and AI City.
The manifesto placed a strong emphasis on agrarian welfare, too.
The party promised a full waiver of agricultural cooperative crop loans for farmers owning less than five acres of land, while those holding more than five acres will receive a 50 per cent waiver. Additionally, the party promised a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 3,500 per quintal for paddy and Rs 4,500 per tonne for sugarcane.
Addressing youth unemployment, Vijay pledged to create five lakh new government jobs and offer as many stipendiary internships. Unemployed graduates will be provided a monthly aid of up to Rs 4,000. For government employees, the party assured consideration of the Old Pension Scheme and the regularisation of contract workers, including nurses.
On the health front, he promised a drug-free Tamil Nadu. Vijay also committed to modernising hospitals, providing free annual health checkups, and introducing a Rs 25 lakh family health insurance scheme.
The manifesto also included a Rs 3,000 monthly pension for the elderly and the differently-abled, 200 units of free power, patta (land deed) regularisation, and 100 per cent piped drinking water supply for all households.
Some of the policy intereventions promised by TVK include a legal guarantee to provide essential government services like community certificates, and land pattas, within a strictly specified timeframe.
Vijay also promised doorstep delivery of governance by implementing a system to deliver services, such as ration supplies, directly to the people. He also assured that ease of doing business will be paramount to his government and promised a strict guarantee that business licences will be issued within 21 days.
Elections to 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu were held on April 23.
