VP Singh appeals people of TN to vote for DMK-led DPA

Chennai, May 6 (UNI) Former Prime Minister V P Singh today appealed to the people of Tamil Nadu to vote the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) to power for harmonius Centre-State relations, which would be in the interest of the state.

Sharing dias with DMK President M Karunanidhi, who winded up the nearly three-week long campaign here, Mr Singh said only if there were harmonious relations between the Centre and the State governments, the state could develop.

Stating that a confrontationist stand would not help the state, the former Prime Minister said since the DPA was part of the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre, it would bring in lot of developmental schemes to the state, if it was voted to power.

''When you wear a suit, the coat should match the trousers,'' he said adding if there was a mismatch, it would only go against the interest of the state.

Showering praise on Mr Karunanidhi, Mr Singh said when there was an all round opposition, when he proposed to implement the Mandal Commission recommendations, the DMK leader, who was the then Chief Minister, stood by him. ''I am very much indebted to Mr Karunanidhi,'' he added.

Mr Singh also recalled how Mr Karunanidhi was instrumental for him to constitute the Cauvery Waters Dispute Tribunal in a bid to resolve the vexed Cauvery issue.

The minorities have always stood by Mr Karunanidhi and they were safe in the hands of the DMK leader, the former Prime Minister, who is being hailed as protector of Social Justice said.

He said Mr Karunanidhi had played a key role in the formation of the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre, which had done much for Tamil Nadu, like implementing the Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project and according classical status to Tamil language.

Referring to the promises made by the DMK in its election manifesto, including distribution of free gas stoves, Mr Singh said, that Mr Karunanidhi would fulfill the unique promises.

''I know Mr Karunanidhi will keep his words on whatever promises he makes,''he said.

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