EPS Slams Stalin’s ‘Ungaludan Stalin’ Scheme as Pre-Poll Gimmick

The AIADMK has accused the DMK government’s Ungaludan Stalin campaign, set to launch across Tamil Nadu from July 15, of being nothing more than a ploy to gather phone numbers for election-related political outreach.

EPS Questions Government’s Intentions

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), speaking to reporters after inaugurating the party’s Salem Urban and district office at Neduncahalai Nagar, dismissed the DMK’s motives.

He alleged, “It is nothing but an election gimmick to collect people’s phone numbers for political outreach.”

EPS also urged Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin to focus on preserving his alliance, stating that various disagreements had emerged among DMK allies.

Countering Udhayanidhi’s Remarks

Reacting to Udhayanidhi’s comments regarding the AIADMK-BJP alliance, EPS stated, “He is not an astrologer to make predictions. Instead, he should look at his own party’s alliance, which is filled with contradictions.”

EPS referred to pamphlets distributed under the Ungaludan Stalin scheme that list several civic grievances.

“This is proof of how many problems the current government has failed to address. After four years in power, if they are only now starting to listen to people’s grievances, it clearly shows this is nothing more than election drama,” he said.

He further added, “Stalin had carried out a similar campaign during the AIADMK regime, promising to resolve people’s issues after coming to power. If those issues were truly addressed, there would be no need for this new initiative.”

AIADMK’s Strategy for Upcoming Elections

Reaffirming AIADMK’s political plans, EPS said, “The AIADMK is focused on forming a strong alliance, and more parties may join the front in the coming months. There are still eight months left for the elections.

A strengthened alliance will be formed under AIADMK’s leadership, and we will return to power with a single-party majority.”

Condemning Councillor Clash in Salem

EPS criticised the recent confrontation between AIADMK and DMK councillors during a Salem Corporation meeting. “Our councillors were targeted for raising public concerns.

Our leader of opposition in the council, N Yadavamoorthy, was attacked by a DMK councillor. Despite our members being injured, cases have been registered against them,” he claimed.

Public Discontent Fuels AIADMK’s Tour

EPS, currently undertaking a state-wide campaign titled Makkalai Kappom, Tamizhagathai Meetpom, claimed the initiative was gaining momentum.

“People are fed up with this government. The public sentiment is clear, and DMK will be voted out,” he said.

Majority of Petitions for KMUT Inclusion

At the Ungaludan Stalin camps held in Chennai last Thursday, over 65% of the petitions were related to the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai (KMUT) scheme, the Greater Chennai Corporation reported.

According to officials, 12,891 petitions were received at these camps. Of these, 8,614 were related to KMUT inclusion, 1,002 to patta transfers, 657 to pension requests, and 600 to address changes in ration cards.

Crowd Management Issues Surface at Camps

Despite high footfalls at the camps, many visitors faced long wait times due to inadequate crowd management. Camps were held in six zones: Madhavaram, Royapuram, Ambattur, Kodambakkam, Perungudi, and Sholinganallur.

During a visit to the Sholinganallur camp, a large crowd was seen at the registration counters. Attendees were subsequently guided to department-specific counters where they submitted applications with the necessary documents.

Ambika Devi, who came to correct her Aadhaar details, shared, “After this, I have to also apply for KMUT and for patta. My husband is in the hospital and I have to rush there after this.” Many others echoed similar frustrations over the time-consuming process.

District Collector Reviews Special Camps

On July 17, Collector V. Mohanachandran oversaw the functioning of Ungaludan Stalin special camps held at six locations across the district.

These included sites at Manali in Thiruthuraipoondi Panchayat Union, Perugavazhnthan in Kottur Panchayat Union, Alangudi in Valangaiman taluk, Kuvalaikal in Nannilam taluk, Peralam Town Panchayat, and Koothanallur Municipality.

An official release stated that the Collector handed over income certificates, domicile certificates, agricultural inputs, labour welfare board membership cards, and other related benefits to eligible applicants at the camps.