MDMK leader Vaiko on Saturday wondered how the DMK would be able to give rice for Rs two per kg, while the UPA Government hiked the rice price to Rs 8.50 for people Above Poverty Line and Rs 6.50 for those Below Poverty Line.
Addressing a series of election meetings in Tuticorin and Tirunelveli districts, he said, "The Tamil Nadu Government was now selling rice for Rs 3.50 a kg, incurring a loss of Rs 1,350 crore." "Without opposing the Centre when it increased the ration rice price to Rs 6.50 a kg, the DMK, was claiming in its manifesto that it would give rice at Rs 2 kg," he said.
Taking a dig at the DMK, he also wanted the people to decide between the development of a state as a whole or development of "family imperialism and family business, trying to monopolise the TV network and print media."
He said the DMK had become a "laughing stock" with its promise of providing free television sets, he wondered how the "SUN TV got permission for operating 10 direct telecast vehicles within ten days, when Jaya TV was being denied permission for the same."
He alleged that his party was denied a cabinet berth in the UPA Government because the DMK had referred MDMK MPs also as DMK MPs and got additional cabinet berth.
{{/usCountry}}He alleged that his party was denied a cabinet berth in the UPA Government because the DMK had referred MDMK MPs also as DMK MPs and got additional cabinet berth.
{{/usCountry}}When he asked the Prime Minister for a cabinet berth for his party, he was told that the DMK should withdraw one of its ministers.