Kumaraswamy invites Congress leader C M Ibrahim to return to JD(S)
Bengaluru, Dec 7: JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Monday met senior leader and Congress MLC C M Ibrahim and invited him to return to the party fold.
Ibrahim, a former Union Minister and one-time close associate of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, had joined Congress in 2008, and is said to be sulking for some time now, upset with the party and its legislature party leader Siddaramaiah.
"He (Ibrahim) is more like an elder brother in the family. He has had a long political association with my father Deve Gowda (JDS supremo) even before I entered politics.
In whichever party he may be, he is like an elder member of our family," Kumaraswamy said.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Ibrahim, he said, though Ibrahim left the party in 2004 for certain reasons, there has been a cordial relationship between them.
"I have observed how Congress and a few of his friends have treated him.
We had political discussions today... In 1994, he along with Gowda immensely contributed in organising the party. I requested him (Ibrahim) to return to his former party to play the same role in the days to come ...he will take a decision at an appropriate time," he added.
Ibrahim had left JD(S) after the 2004 Lok Sabha elections.
He was also associated with "AHINDA" (a social movement forged by minorities, backwards and dalits) in Karnataka led by Siddaramaiah before both joined the Congress.
Ibrahim was seen as one among the close confidantes of Siddaramaiah.
According to sources, Ibrahim has been sulking, upset with Siddaramaiah after he was not considered for the Leader of the Opposition post in the legislative Council, the position currently occupied by S R Patil, who is also considered to be close to the former Chief Minister.
Stating that he has not yet decided on quitting Congress, Ibrahim said he will travel across the state after December 15 and get the opinion of his followers and well wishers before taking any decision.
"I'm now a Congress MLC. I will have to seek the opinion of the people on what step I have to take next and then come to a good decision... I will also talk to Deve Gowda and take a decision," he said.
Asked what was the reason for him being miffed with Siddaramaiah, he said, "nothing has happened between me and him...I have never left anyone, they left me.
I took Siddaramaiah to Badami (assembly constituency for 2018 polls)...I don't have anything against him. "
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TN polls: DMK promises Rs 8,000 'Illatharasi' coupon scheme for women
Chennai (PTI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M K Stalin on Sunday released his party's manifesto for the April 23 Assembly elections, and announced providing the "Illatharasi" coupon scheme worth Rs 8,000 for women to buy/replace household electronic goods.
He promised to implement a number of welfare measures in different sectors including education, industry and farming should the DMK return to power and described his party's set of poll promises as a "superstar.".
He said the coupon for women could be used to buy household appliances like TV, refrigerator, washing machine, mixie, microwave oven, induction stove or replace them.
"This new Illatharasi scheme will be implemented. Under this scheme, the women of families who don't come under the income tax bracket would be provided a one-time coupon worth Rs 8,000 to purchase these electronic goods from the shops in their places of residence," Stalin said.
'Illatharasi' in Tamil literally translates to the "queen of the house," and in effect refers to a women head of the family.
Announcing a slew of welfare measures targeting women, girl students, farmers and fishermen, he said "I have mentioned a few as a highlight."
"Usually in Tamil Nadu elections the DMK election manifesto is the hero, but now Dravidian model 2.O's poll manifesto is the superstar," Stalin, who is confident of winning over 200 seats out of 234 in the April 23 election, said.
Expanding the coverage for treatment under the CM Health Insurance scheme to Rs 10 lakh by increasing the annual income ceiling, hiking pension for elderly, widows and spinsters above 50 years to Rs 2,000 per month, doubling the monthly grant under the Kalaignar Magalir Urumai Thogai (monthly assistance) to Rs 2,000 and adding new eligible women under this scheme were some of the other promises the ruling party made.
Expanding the Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme till Class 8, and providing free modern electric pump sets without any meters to more than 20 lakh farmers receiving free electricity were among the numerous announcements.
The DMK chief assured to enhance the procurement price of paddy to Rs 3,500 per quintal and the procurement price of sugarcane to Rs 4,500 per tonne.
About 10 lakh new concrete houses will be built under Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam housing scheme and various other housing schemes towards a hut-free Tamil Nadu by 2030.
Skill training will be imparted for five lakh youth who have completed higher education and they will also receive Rs 1,500 per month upon enrolment and completion of 6-month training under the Naan Mudhalvan scheme, he said.
The state will ensure foreign investment of Rs 18 lakh crore aiming to create 50 lakh jobs in five years. The monthly higher education grant of Rs 1,000 to students under Pudhumai Penn and Tamil Pudhalvan schemes will be increased to Rs 1,500. About 35 lakh free laptops will be provided to all college students.
Establishing four future-ready global cities around Coimbatore, Salem, Madurai, and Tiruchirappalli apart, about 50 Semmozhi Poonga's will be constructed across Tamil Nadu, he said.
In his address, Stalin exuded confidence that the DMK is " going to form government for seventh time."
"This confidence is not just of the party workers but all of TN people, because no state government has made so many achievements. So many record schemes have been delivered. We have achieved double digit growth," he said
The DMK started its tenure in 2021 with a 10-year vision plan.
Today, 1.31 crore women were receiving Rs 1000 monthly assistance, he said. The BJP tried to stop it citing election but we realised the conspiracy and gave it in advance in February," the DMK chief added.
The manifesto was prepared by a team headed by party deputy general secretary and Lok Sabha MP Kaniozhi and the team members included two state ministers. Stalin felicitated them on the occasion.
