AIADMK-BJP proposed govt will be trouble engine not double engine: CPM leader

Trichy: If the AIADMK-BJP alliance forms govt, it will not be a ‘double engine' but a ‘trouble engine', said CPM central control commission chairperson G Ramakrishnan.Campaigning in Mannargudi in Tiruvarur district on Tuesday seeking votes for DMK candidate T R B Rajaa, Ramakrishnan said, "BJP leaders are claiming that a double engine govt will be formed in Tamil Nadu. Chief minister M K Stalin called it a ‘dabba engine', but it is actually a trouble engine." Referring to Tamil Nadu's delta region as the state's rice bowl, Ramakrishnan asked, "What the BJP leaders, who keep demanding a double engine govt, are actually doing for farmers?"Ramakrishnan described a recent letter sent by the Union ministry of finance to the Tamil Nadu govt as ‘shocking'. He criticised the Centre's request to reconsider the incentives to farmers during paddy procurement. He claimed that AIADMK and BJP are jointly taking steps to betray Tamil Nadu's farmers. "Farmers will get incentives and their welfare will be protected only if DMK returns to power," he said.Ramakrishnan highlighted that Stalin had announced that his govt will provide a minimum support price of Rs 3,500 per quintal for paddy if elected. He warned that if the Electricity Amendment Bill is passed in Parliament and power is handed over to private companies, farmers will lose access to free electricity. He urged the people to vote for DMK to secure the state's resources.