People's Welfare Front strong alternative to DMK, AIADMK: Sitaram Yechury

He further added that both parties 'deserve punishment for corruption'

The People's Welfare Front (PWF) has emerged as a "strong alternative" to the two major Dravidian parties DMK and AIADMK, which "deserve punishment for corruption," CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury has said.

"The Dravidian parties, which were ruling Tamil Nadu in turns for more than four decades, deserve punishment for their political blunders and corruption. People were unhappy with the large scale corruption of both the parties and its leaders were facing criminal cases," he said.

Yechury late last night here inaugurated the state conference of the PWF, which comprises of the left parties, MDMK and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi.

"People think they have suffered enough but were wondering what is the alternative. That alternative has emerged now," Yechury said at the well-attended conference.

On bringing total prohibition on liquor in the state, he said, "It is possible if the tax concessions to the tune of Rs 5 lakh crore being given to the big industrial houses are withdrawn" to compensate for the revenue loss."

"We can implement total prohibition not only in Tamil Nadu but in the entire country," he said.

CPI General Secretary S Sudhakar Reddy said that he expected more parties to join the Front accepting its Common Minimum Programme (CMP), which include closing of liquor shops.

CPI National Secretary D Raja said, "We have formed this alliance because we thought differently and wanted a different path to solve the problems of the people in the state."

VCK leader Thirumavalavan said that DMK had emerged as a force in the state in 1967 as people were not satisfied with the Congress regime then.

"The very same frustration about the Dravidian parties exist now. People are angry with the corrupt DMK and AIADMK. They are looking for a change and that is our strength. We will capture power," Thirumavalavan said.

MDMK leader Vaiko alleged that "murders, robberies, violence against women and children in the state during DMK and AIADMK regimes crossed several thousands."

DMK had promised to bring total prohibition in Tamil Nadu in 1996 but did not do it in the 10 years they ruled the state. "Now they were making the same promise. How credible is it," he said.

The PWF leader said their CMP included providing honest governance, protection for people and social justice, establishing Lokayukta, writing off farm loans, retrieval of Katchativu from Sri Lanka and seizure of properties earned by people by corrupt means.