Milk of polling kindness: DMDK offers free cows

Chennai, Apr 23 (UNI) After Rs two per kg rice, two acre of wasteland, ten kg free rice and 15 kg free rice, the latest to 'join' the bandwagon of poll freebies offered by political parties is free cows.

The latest offer to ''milk the people for votes'' came from actor-turned-politician Vijayakanth, who had floated the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK).

Political parties doling out promises seems to have become the order of the day, ever since the Opposition DMK, with a view to recreating the 1967 magic, offered to provide rice at ration shops at Rs two a kg.

Vijayakanth, who had boldly took the electoral plunge after forming his political outfit just before the polls, first countered the DMK's offer of Rs two a kg of rice with a promise of 15 kg of free rice, if his party was voted to power.

After taking the political circles by storm, the ''captain,'' as he is fondly called, pulled out yet another ace from his sleeve -- free cows.

He made this promise while launching his campaign in Chennai and said the promises made by him would definitely be fulfilled.

The DMDK leader added 'value' to the 15 kg of free rice scheme by announcing that monthly Rs 500 would be deposited in the name of the family head in post offices for purchase of essential commodities.

He also announced that every month Rs 500 would be given to women as nutrition allowance for three years for the first two children.

As the polling day nears, political parties are vying with each other to come out with innovative offers.

After the DMK and the DMDK, the ruling AIADMK did not lag behind with its Supremo and Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa offering 10 kg of free rice to the poor people besides creation of 32 lakh employment opportunities and IT parks in all Tier II cities in the state.

The DMK also promised free colour TVs, cable connections and free power to weavers besides gas stoves.

The freebie list only seems growing longer day by day.

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