Chennai: From low-cost canteens and packaged drinking water to subsidised sacks of cement and pharmacies, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalaltihaa has promoted brand Amma in the last five years.
Jayalalithaa's third term in office has seen a host of populist schemes - all stamped with the Amma brand. The mother of all brands began in 2013 with the Amma canteen, providing three square meals a day for just Rs 20.
Brand Amma has covered a range of products and services including Amma Kudineer, Amma Salt, Amma Pharmacies, Amma Cement, Amma Baby Kit, Amma Seeds and Amma Master Health Check-Up.
Political analyst Sumanth C Raman said, "The Amma canteens have been a runaway hit with the people. Definitely it has electoral dividends for the person with the name associated with the project."
Jayalalithaa's welfare wagon has also included freebies like fans, mixies and grinders. But all of this comes at a great cost to the exchequer as Tamil Nadu faces an alarming revenue deficit of over Rs 9000 crore for the coming financial year.
AIADMK Spokesperson CR Saraswathi said, "All the states are running a finance problem. People are paying tax to the government. Amma thought when people pay tax we should give back something."
The Opposition has accused Jayalalithaa of using public money to promote herself saying she should divert funds to provide employment and improve infrastructure.
DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan said, "Fans, mixers, grinders fixed with Amma photos are going to the dustbin. Crores have been swindled by this government. Worst kind of electrical equipment were given to the people. People couldn't use it for three months."
The state government has done everything to ensure that brand Amma reaches the common man with its wide range of products and services all at a subsidised rate. But, the real value of brand Amma will be known on May 16 if and when the schemes translate into votes.
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