AIADMK to stage state-wide protest against Centre on Jan 24

Chennai, Jan 19: The AIADMK has decided to stage protests over the Centre's apathy towards Tamil Nadu as well as the latest hike in diesel price and rail fares.

Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today said that members of the Anna Thozir Sangam Peravai, her party's trade union wing, will organise demonstrations outside the central government offices in all districts on Jan 24.

Pointing out that the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal's final award has not been notified yet in the Gazette due to political reasons, the CM wondered why the DMK is keeping mum on the issue despite being an important constituent of the ruling coalition.

Slamming the DMK for being "selfish" in this matter, Jayalalithaa urged AIADMK activists to hit the streets and make the public aware of the "autocratic alliance which is led by the Congress and includes DMK."

Citing the Centre's refusal to allocate more electricity to Tamil Nadu even though there is an acute power crisis in the state, the CM accused the UPA government of "rejecting the just demands of non-Congress ruled states" and "stifling" their rights thereby "dealing a blow to the federal character enshrined in the Constitution."

It is noteworthy that Tamil Nadu's repeated pleas for additional power have fallen on deaf ears.

Jayalalithaa criticised the Centre's "anti-people" decision to allow oil companies to periodically hike the prices of petroleum products and said that the poor will be the most affected by the increase in railway fares.

OneIndia News