Palanisawmi says met Modi and Shah, to discuss TN growth plan, not politics

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Palaniswami, who came to the capital city for a two-day visit on Monday, said that the core purpose of his visit was to discuss the growth plan for his state and not politics. Tamil Nadu is heading towards state elections, most likely to be held sometime between April and May. With respect to the clarification over seat-sharing between BJP and its ally AIADMK, Palaniswami said that seats to be allotted to BJP would be decided once the poll notification was issued.

During the Union Home Minister’s recent visit to Chennai, Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam, who is the AIADMK coordinator, said that BJP- AIADMK alliance would continue to contest the assembly elections together. There were speculations that Palaniswami would discuss the issue related to state elections and seat-sharing with BJP during his Delhi visit, but he denied holding any political discussions. He said, “There was no talk related to politics. Also, this is not the right time to talk politics. There is (still) time for elections. I am here for the growth of Tamil Nadu.”

Palaniswami, who met Shah on Monday and Modi on Tuesday, has been trying to obtain funds for key state projects, relief assistance, and the state’s growth, especially after the state got hit by a series of cyclones. He also submitted a memorandum to the national head for the same. In his memorandum, he urged the Modi government for the immediate release of Rs.1,200 crore to provide relief to the farmers as the recent Nivar and Burevi cyclones and heavy rains caused extensive damage to their crops.

TN premier also invited PM Modi to visit the state for launching completed projects, including the Washermanpet-Wimco Nagar Chennai Metrorail extension, and lay the foundation stone for new initiatives. Besides, the chief minter also thanked the central government for the release of 40 Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu held by Sri Lankan forces. The chief minister also requested the PM to make efforts for the release of 12 more fishermen and all the mechanized boats taken into custody by the neighboring island nation.

When reporters asked if AIADMK was considering taking back V K Sasikala, an aide of late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, into the party, Tamil Nadu chief minister said that there was ‘100 percent’ no chance of that. He said, “There is 100 percent no chance for admitting her into AIADMK.” He emphasized that Sasikala was removed from the party by ‘Amma’ (Jayalalithaa). Sasikala, who is currently serving four-year imprisonment in relation to a corruption case, is expected to be released on January 27 from Parapana Agrahara Prison in Bengaluru.