The BJP’s wish to see the entire Union Cabinet visit Tamil Nadu got the approval of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, when the party’s State president Tamilisai Soundararajan met him in New Delhi for a 40-minute discussion.
Starting May, over 40 Union Ministers are expected to make trips to Tamil Nadu to directly interact with the people. Many of these visits are likely to be mega events, with the State unit trying plan public meetings for some of the popular Ministers.
If the statements made by Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal in Tiruvallur last week were any indication, the visits are sure to raise the political temperature in Tamil Nadu.
Mr. Goyal made a scathing attack on the AIADMK government for its “rank corruption,” accusing the 48-year Dravidian parties’ rule for hindering the progress of the people of Tamil Nadu. The AIADMK mouthpiece, Dr. Namathu MGR , retaliated by accusing the BJP of hypocrisy.
Data on Central schemes
BJP sources said its leaders have begun collecting data on the status of implementation of Centre’s schemes here. Further, the party is set to open its offices to public on Saturdays for direct interaction. Periodic reports of the interactions would be sent to the BJP Central leadership and to the Ministries concerned for action, the leaders said.
Sources in the AIADMK said the State government was way ahead in almost all indicators when compared to the BJP-ruled States. “They should first check the status of implementation of the projects in their States before accusing us of any laxity. We are ready to counter them since Tamil Nadu is one of the best administered States,” a Minister said, on condition of anonymity.
Water projects
Speaking to The Hindu, Ms. Tamilisai said she had requested the Prime Minister to take a look at long-pending water projects in Tamil Nadu that needed funds, including proposals to link State rivers.
“We think water will be a crucial issue in the coming years. Projects relating to rivers like Tamiraparani and Vaigai need a fillip. I have requested Mr. Modi’s kind attention to these projects,” she said.
