Thaindian News

Chennai, May 13 (IANS) AIADMK general secretary and chief minister in waiting J. Jayalalithaa Friday accused the DMK of destroying Tamil Nadu’s economy and said she had “a difficult task” on hand.

In her first remarks after the AIADMK-led alliance crushed the ruling DMK, the actor-turned-politician congratulated the Election Commission for holding a “free and fair” election in the state.

“They have done a fantastic job,” she added.

The two-time former chief minister accused the DMK of “totally ruining” Tamil Nadu. “It is not an easy task to rebuild an entire state.”

She compared Tamil Nadu of today to a house that has been destroyed and whose debris first needs to be first dumped.

“The havoc that has been brought (in Tamil Nadu) is beyond description,” she said. “It is a difficult task but we take it up as a challenge.”

She said both in 1991 and 2001, the DMK had left the exchequer empty.

In 2001, she said, Tamil Nadu had been written off by the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and even the Planning Commission.

“Our first and foremost priority is to restore the rule of law and order,” she said, adding that the AIADMK would fulfil all its election promises within one and a half years.

Asked how the AIADMK managed such a sweeping victory, Jayalalithaa said: “People were just waiting for a chance to vent their anger against the DMK government.

“In fact they were waiting for the election date. Once they got the opportunity, they showed their anger and resentment in no uncertain terms. They waited for a chance to throw out the DMK government.”