TN Chief Minister Palaniswami meets Prime Minister Modi in Delhi, keeps his cards to his chest
Tamil Nadu chief minister, K Palaniswami on Monday said a decision on an alliance between the ruling AIADMK, and the BJP for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls will be taken after the election schedule is announced.
Palaniswami, accompanied by Tamil Nadu minister D Jayakumar and Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan, met PM Modi at his office in New Delhi and gave him a memorandum regarding various demands of his government. The demands included conferring the Bharat Ratna on the late CN Annadurai and J Jayalalithaa, and naming the iconic Chennai Central railway station after the late MG Ramachandran.
When asked about the possibility of his party aligning with the BJP for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, he said, "(Lok Sabha) Elections have not been announced. We will decide on an alliance once the poll dates are announced."
Among the demands made by the state are — Centre should allocate Rs 4,445 crore for executing permanent flood control plans for Chennai, denial of permission to Karnataka for construction of Mekadatu dam on Cauvery river, construction of a naval base in Kanyakumari district that would help in the rescue of fishermen stranded during cyclones and other times, setting up an ordnance manufacturing unit in the unused lands of Salem Steel Plant and construction of airports in Hosur, Neyveli and Ramanathapuram. He also urged the Prime Minister for early action on the construction of an AIIMS at Thoppur in Madurai.
Asked whether the state would consider cutting VAT on diesel and petrol, the Chief Minister told reporters in New Delhi, "Keeping the financial position in mind in view of a large number of the ongoing people's welfare schemes, we will consider the issue."
On the controversy surrounding the meeting between his deputy O Panneerselvam and ousted AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran last year, Palaniswami said, "Dhinakaran made some remarks through the media and the deputy chief minister has given a clarification. There is no need for any more explanation."
Dhinakaran had alleged on Friday that Panneerselvam met him in July 2017 and wanted to meet him again in September-end this year in a bid to "oust" Palaniswami. He also claimed that Panneerselvam offered to make him the chief minister. However, Panneerselvam has denied Dhinakaran's accusation that he wanted to dethrone Palaniswami.
On reports about mining firm Vedanta Ltd being allotted oil blocks in Tamil Nadu, Palaniswami said any project adversely affecting people would not be allowed. The firm's copper smelter unit in Tuticorin in the state had earlier been ordered by the state government to be permanently closed following public outcry over pollution concerns. An anti-Sterlite protest on May 22 had turned violent, with 13 protesters being killed in police firing.
State’s Demands
- The memorandum of demands include conferring Bharat Ratna on late CN Annadurai and J Jayalalitha
- Other demands include executing permanent flood control plants for Chennai city
- They also have demanded naming the Chennai Central railway station after late MG Ramachandran
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