Anti-graft wave defeated Congress, DMK: AIADMK leader

AIADMK member M. Thambidurai Tuesday said there was an anti-corruption wave in the country which led to the defeat of parties like the Congress and the DMK in the Lok Sabha elections.

He gave credit to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa for his party's poll success in Tamil Nadu.

Participating in the debate on the motion of thanks on the president's address, Thambidurai said party supremo Jayalalithaa contributed to crystallizing anti-corruption sentiment in the country.

Thambidurai began by reading out Jayalalithaa's remarks in which she said the president's address had "eloquently outlined" the priorities of the new government.

He said Jayalalithaa led the party to a stupendous performance in the general polls and it was now the third largest party in the Lok Sahba.

Referring to allegations against some DMK leaders relating to 2G spectrum allocation, Thambidurai said Jayalalithaa ousted the DMK government from the state in 2011 and contributed to strengthening of anti-corruption sentiment.

Referring to poor performance of the Congress in states such as Odisha, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, he said people voted for the ruling parties.

He said the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party supported the previous Congress-led government at the Centre and "that's why they lost (in the Lok Sabha election)".

Thambidurai supported the suggestion for inter-linking of rivers.

He also raised demands concerning Tamil Nadu fishermen and said they continue to face problems at the hands of the Sri Lankan Navy.

He referred to a resolution passed by the Tamil Nadu assembly and said those responsible for crimes during the war against Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka should be punished.