AIADMK Stages State-Wide Protest Defending Union Government's Rural Employment Scheme
The AIADMK party organized a comprehensive state-wide protest on Friday, firmly supporting the Union government's decision to replace the MGNREGS with the new VB G RAM G scheme. This significant political agitation unfolded across various districts of Tamil Nadu, with senior party leaders actively participating to voice their defense of the central government's policy shift.
Accusations Against DMK Government
AIADMK leaders launched sharp criticisms against the ruling DMK government, accusing it of deliberately derailing the implementation of the VB G RAM G program. They emphasized that this new scheme actually promises 125 days of guaranteed rural employment, which represents a substantial increase from the previous MGNREGS that assured only 100 days of work.
The protest action comes merely days after the DMK and its political allies held their own demonstrations against the Union government for replacing the long-standing MGNREGS. This creates a clear political confrontation between the two major Tamil Nadu parties regarding rural employment policies.
Key Allegations from Opposition Leadership
Deputy leader of opposition R B Udhayakumar, who participated prominently in the protest at Thirumangalam, delivered pointed accusations against the DMK administration. He claimed the ruling party was conducting a misinformation campaign suggesting that the rural employment guarantee scheme was being completely scrapped.
Udhayakumar presented specific criticisms regarding the DMK's performance on employment guarantees:
- The DMK failed to fulfill its election promise to expand the scheme to 150 days of work
- The party did not raise wages to ₹300 as promised during campaigns
- Coverage was not extended to town panchayats as committed
"With the government nearing the end of its term, they have not fulfilled these promises yet," Udhayakumar stated emphatically during the protest. He further alleged that in several locations across Tamil Nadu, the employment scheme had effectively shrunk to just 40 days of work, with wage payments becoming irregular and unreliable for rural workers.
Contrast with Previous Administrations
The AIADMK leadership drew favorable comparisons between the current DMK governance and previous AIADMK administrations. Udhayakumar highlighted that during the tenure of late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and her successor Edappadi K Palaniswami, the MGNREGS was implemented in a proper and effective manner that genuinely benefited rural communities.
This historical comparison served to underscore the AIADMK's argument that the current problems with rural employment schemes stem from DMK mismanagement rather than any deficiency in the Union government's new VB G RAM G program.
State-Wide Participation
The protest witnessed participation from numerous senior AIADMK leaders across Tamil Nadu's districts. Prominent figures including K P Munusamy, S P Velumani, and C Ve Shanmugam joined the demonstrations in their respective regions, demonstrating unified party support for the Union government's employment policy change.
This coordinated state-wide action reflects the AIADMK's strategic positioning as defenders of the central government's rural development initiatives while simultaneously attacking the DMK's governance record on employment guarantees. The protest represents a significant political maneuver in the ongoing policy debate about how best to ensure rural employment security for Tamil Nadu's population.
