Jayalalithaa says DMK impeding growth

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa today accused the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance of hindering the implementation of several ongoing welfare schemes in the state by 8216;8216;using the Election Commission8217;8217; for 8216;8216;political purposes8217;8217;.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa today accused the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance of hindering the implementation of several ongoing welfare schemes in the state by 8216;8216;using the Election Commission8217;8217; for 8216;8216;political purposes8217;8217;.

Citing some instances of the EC ban on some of the ongoing schemes, she said a petition had been filed in the Madras High Court challenging the Commission8217;s orders. The ban related to the continuation of tsunami and flood relief works, some farmers8217; welfare schemes and the free distribution of clothes to more than four crore people, Jayalalithaa told reporters after releasing her party8217;s manifestos for Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Kerala.

While it was true that no new policies or programmes should be announced, the EC had no powers to stop ongoing schemes, Jayalalithaa, pointed out. She wondered how Union Minister P Chidambaram had announced concessions to Central government employees when the state government had been prevented from implementing ongoing schemes and five states were going to polls. 8216;8216;How is this possible?8217;8217; she asked.

Exuding confidence, the AIADMK supremo said that it was historic that her party was contesting the highest number of seats8212;1828212;in this election. The seats had been given to candidates depending on the 8216;8216;number of years of service they put in, their efficiency and loyalty.8217;8217;

Ruling out a coalition government in Tamil Nadu, she said: 8216;8216;We will form a government with an independent majority. Our alliance is a winning combination. It has the support of the people. I am very confident that the Democratic People8217;s Alliance will sweep the polls this time and will win a majority of seats.8217;8217;

She also added: 8216;8216;Probably this will be the last time that we will be fighting our traditional political enemy ,8221; thus hinting that the DMK would be 8216;wiped out8217; in the polls.

On whether the resignation of AICC chief Sonia Gandhi from the Lok Sabha would have an impact on the Assembly election, Jayalalithaa said: 8216;8216;This is totally irrelevant to elections here. This is an election to decide who will rule Tamil Nadu.8217;8217;

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As to the AIADMK deciding to contest 54 seats in Kerala, Jayalalithaa claimed she had received information from various sources that her party had a good following in Kerala. 8216;8216;We would like to test our strength. We lose nothing because we are new entrants in the political arena in that state,8217;8217; she said.