Karunanidhi on campaign trail

The DMK president promised the people that if voted to power, his government would provide rice at Rs two per kg.

DMK President M Karunanidhi on Wednesday promised the people that if voted to power, his government would provide rice at Rs two per kg.

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"To me nothing is impossible. I will do it," the octogenarian leader told an election meeting at Saidapet.

He said the new government would supply "20 kg of rice in two instalments every month, taking into account the purchasing power of the poor."

In an obvious reference to AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa's remarks that DMK's promises were impractical, the DMK chief told the voters that promises were practical and could be implemented.

It was those who were against the poor that were terming them impractical, Karunanidhi, who is seeking to re-enter the assembly for a record 11th time, said.

He said when he was the Chief Minister, he promised that 'pucca' houses would be constructed for slum dwellers. But some people ridiculed that. He saw to it that tenements were built and slum dwellers were accommodated, he said.

Likewise, when he spoke of replacing rickshaws with cycle rickshaws, there were a lot of criticism. But that was achieved. "Karunanidhi is one, who will speak of things which are achievable and practical," he said.