Ex-Congress leader GK Vasan welcome to join BJP, says minister

Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways and Shipping, Pon Radhakrishnan on Sunday said that Congress was responsible for GK Vasan quitting the party and deciding to float a new outfit.

"BJP is not responsible for Vasan to start a new party. I have myself said that if Vasan comes to BJP, I will welcome him. BJP is not responsible for Vasan to start a new party. It is Congress which is responsible for it," he told newsmen on the sidelines of the district library function near Marthandom in the district.

Radhakrishnan said he was also happy to know that the level of Mullaperiyar dam would reach 142 ft and expressed confidence that people of Kerala and Tamil Nadu would not face any problem by increasing the dam level.

He said the Centre was equally concerned about the safety of the people in Kerala as the state government there. The BJP leader wanted the present allies of NDA in Tamil Nadu to continue in the alliance for the 2016 Assembly elections also.

"It is common for the allies to criticise the working of the government. That does not mean that there is rift in the alliance," he said.

In a separate statement, Radhakrishnan said he was adopting Muthalakurichi village near Thakalai in his constituency for the implementation of Sansad Aadharsh Gram Yojana Scheme (Model Village Development scheme).

The village would get better road, drainage, sewerage facilities and pottable drinking water in a time bound manner, he said, adding, the role of the people was important for the development of the village under the scheme.