Rice at low prices Karunanidhi'main poll theme

Chennai, Apr 12 (UNI) After canvassing in his own Chepauk constituency, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) President M Karunanidhi today launched his state-wide campaign for the party by continuing the focus on cheap rice and other poll promises.

Beginning the first leg of his 24-day campaign at Saidapet from where he was elected twice to the state Assembly earlier, the DMK supremo said the party, if elected to power would provide 20 kg of rice at the rate of Rs two per kg.

Reiterating that rice distribution at low prices was possible, the DMK leader said following requests from the poor, the party, if voted to power, would give the monthly quota of 20 kg in two instalments.

The poor had given representations that they could not buy the entire quota at one go, due to lack of purchasing power, he said, adding though he could not consult officials yet, it was possible.

Addressing wayside meetings at suburban Alandur and Tambaram too, Mr Karunanidhi continued his focus on rice at low price, the single most populist slogan, which propelled the DMK to power in 1967.

It was DMK Founder C N Annadurai's promise of 'Rubaikku moonu padi Arisi' (three measures of rice for a rupee), which led the party to a historic victory, bringing down the Congress, in 1967.

However, on winning, DMK was able to provide only one measure of rice at a rupee. Rice has once again emerged as the key weapon in the DMK's election armoury, even as the ruling AIADMK and its ally, the Marumalarchi DMK have ridiculed the promise, saying distribution of rice at Rs two per kg was simply not possible.

Mr Karunanidhi, however, coluntered saying, ''There was nothing impossible in DMK's dictionary'', and restressed that the party will deliver the promise, if it comes to power.

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