Nearly an year after he invited ridicule by launching an initiative to curb evaporation at the Vaigai dam by spreading thermocol sheets on the water, Tamil Nadu Minister Sellur K. Raju has courted controversy again.
Raju claimed government welfare measures would be given only to AIADMK cardholders, even as Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam said that such schemes were meant for all.
He stated this at an event in Madurai on Sunday to enrol new members and renew membership of those who had completed five years.
"AIADMK party card is what identifies us and is equal to our life itself... every party member should have it. All party members should have the card.”
"Only if you have it, can you get government welfare scheme benefits either for you or your family," Raju had said in Madurai.
On the vexed Cauvery river water issue, Raju said that the chief minister was taking appropriate steps to secure the state's share of water from Karnataka.
Referring to the local body polls, he said AIADMK is always ready to face any elections.
Distancing himself from Raju's remarks, Panneerselvam said that all government welfare measures are aimed at benefiting the ordinary and poor people and all sections of society, irrespective of party affiliations.
He said Karnataka has declined water to Tamil Nadu and that steps were being taken to initiate legal measures to secure water for the state.
"We have a right to seek water for our standing crops," he said.
Raju's 'experiment' in April 2017 on the Vaigai was rubbished by experts. In October, Raju declared that sprinkling of water mixed with cow dung could curb breeding of dengue-causing mosquitoes.
