The Communist Party of India (CPI) criticized the AIADMK for allegedly betraying agricultural laborers and rural workers by supporting the government’s dilution of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). CPI’s State Secretary, M. Veerapandian, accused the AIADMK of misleading protests against the state’s implementation of the scheme, claiming it indirectly supported weakening the program. Veerapandian highlighted that MGNREGA, providing 100 days of wage employment annually to rural households, was enacted in 2004 with Left parties’ support.
The CPI leader pointed out that the AIADMK had no Lok Sabha representation during the law’s passing and alleged that under BJP-led rule, the state leadership remained silent as scheme allocations were reduced and funds diverted. Veerapandian criticized the Union government’s plan to replace the scheme with a non-statutory program, potentially depriving over a crore Tamil Nadu households of guaranteed employment. He defended the state government against AIADMK’s baseless criticism, citing efforts like providing employment in Nedungulam panchayat despite financial constraints.
The CPI State Executive accused the AIADMK of supporting policies that undermine rural workers’ rights through their planned protest, emphasizing the impact of budget cuts on Tamil Nadu. The party expressed confidence that voters would discern this “double standard” and make their decision in the upcoming Assembly elections.
