Jaya copying DPA policies: Sonia

Tuticorin, May 5 (UNI) Congress President Sonia Gandhi today accused Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK Supremo J Jayalalithaa of 'copying' the policies and programmes announced by the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA).

Without mentioning Ms Jayalalithaa's name, she said the DPA (DMK) had declared its policies and programmes in the election manifesto well in advance, but envied by them, they (the AIADMK) had copied them blindly, Ms Gandhi who was on her second leg of campaign in Tamil Nadu, said.

''Only the DPA can implement and fulfill the promises,'' Ms Gandhi assured, while addressing a poll meeting in this Pearl city during her day's whistlestop visit to the state.

She also made a scathing attack against Marumalarchi DMK (MDMK) General Secretary Vaiko for launching a personal attack against the DMK leader and his family members, saying ''a person is attacking us after being with us till recently. Why should he speak only now?'' Charging the Jayalalithaa Government with confronting the Centre, the congress chief said the UPA Government had tried to establish a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the district, but the AIADMK Government was stalling its progress.

Ms Gandhi, who launched a broadside against the ruling AIADMK, called upon the people to vote out the ''corrupt and autocratic AIADMK Government'' and free themselves from its clutches.

''Very soon you will have a chance to vote out the AIADMK Government and free yourself from the clutches of the corrupt and autocratic government,'' she said.

Thanking the people of the state for giving a massive mandate for the DPA in the Lok Sabha elections two years ago, Ms Gandhi wanted the people to once again give a similar mandate to the DPA in the May eight Assembly elections.

Addressing a rally in Coimbatore, Ms Gandhi said Tamil Nadu should be ruled by the ''will of the people and not the whims of an individual (Ms Jayalalithaa).'' At both the places, Ms Gandhi opened her address with 'Sakothara, Sakotharigale' (brothers and sisters) and wound up her speech with 'Vetri Namakke' (victory is ours).

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