Join us today for a live chat on The Hindu with our Correspondents Smita Gupta, Sruthisagar Yamunan and Puja Mehra to shed light on the significant visit of PM Narendra Modi to Chennai.
The Hindu: Welcome to The Hindu's live chat on PM Narendra Modi's flying visit to Chennai today.
The Hindu: Mr. Modi arrived in Chennai today around 10:30 am. Our correspondent Sruthisagar has been covering the visit.
The Hindu: Prime Minister's visit to Chennai included the launch of National Handloom Day at the University of Madras.
The Hindu: He also visited Chief Minister Jayalalithaa at her Poes Garden residence and Cho Ramaswamy, the founder-editor of the Tamil magazine Tuglaq.
The Hindu: Joining us today are The Hindu Correspondents Smita Gupta, Sruthisagar Yamunan and Puja Mehra to shed light on the significant visit
The Hindu: PM Modi was welcomed by TN Chief Minister Jayalaltihaa.
The Hindu: Ms. Jayalalithaa submitted a 21 page memorandum to the Prime Minister on issues relating to water resources, power sector, textile and central sales tax among others. She has also demanded that India retrieve Katcha Theevu from Sri Lanka. Read more here https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/live-modi-visits-chennai/article7511438.ece
Puja Mehra: Good evening...
Comment from Kishore Kumar:
My question to Mr.Modi... Irrespective of which government it is, Obstruction and disruption seem to be the way, either in the parliment or out on the streets.. This combined with every attempt by politicians to divde people on communal politics to create vote banks is really take India back to the dark ages... what do you think is the way out?
Smita Gupta: Clearly, it is time political parties sat down and had a dialogue on what kind of a polity they want. Disruptions as a way of flagging issues or registering protest can work only upto a point. Besides, the greater esponsibility lies with the government to make Parliamnet function.
Dinesh: The politics of disruption started during UPA-II rule around 2013, at that time, the governing coalition ensured that parliament did not function fully. And now they are carrying the same style. I believe the problem creators should be treated with strict disciplinary action.
Comment from Smita Gupta:
Puja, how critical is for Tamil Nadu to be on board on the GST Bill?
Puja Mehra: Hi Smita. It is important from the point of view of it being a large industrial state. A vote of confidence for the taxation reform from a top business and manufacturing state is good for the economy, the politics too.
Comment from Puja Mehra:
The voting numbers in Parliament, especially Rajya Sabha, from the AIADMK can turn the game for the GST Bill you think ?
Smita Gupta: Well, the AIADMK is an important party but I think unless the Congress is on board in the Rajya Sabha it will be tough for the govt to get the Bill through, especially as this is a Constitution Amendment Bill requiring two thirds majority.
Puja Mehra: That's true. But the optics of Tamil Nadu being on board will be great for the GST
Comment from Pattabhi RK:
Hi !! I think we shouldn't much read into todays developments with respect to electoral alliances as the situation TN is in flux and not certain to predict. Main motives I guess are towards PM Modi ji getting AIADMKs support in Rajya Sabha as she commands significant numbers in the upper house. it is more of outreach to garner numbers by Mr. Modi. Probably this can be helpful for electoral gains for BJP in TN. As we see not much of anti incumbancy in the electorate towards JJ.
Smita Gupta: On the other hand, MR Modi's visit has been preceded by that of BJP presdent Amit Shah to Tamil Nadu -- clearly there is a political calculation -- how successful BJP's TN push will be is yet to be seen
AIADMK has 11 MPs in RS: so it is really the Congress's support that is more important
Comment from Sundari :
Is this visit a precursor to a BJP-AIADMK alliance in the future?
Smita Gupta: That is clearly the object.
Comment from Sruthisagar:
The biggest concern of the AIADMK government is the statutory/Constitutional status to the GST council. The Chief Minister's view is that this invades the authority of the State legislature. and wants the empowered committee model of VAT to be adopted for GST as well.
Puja Mehra: Yes, that's right Sagar. The AIADMK's dissent note to the report of the Rajya Sabha panel on GST highlighted this conern
Puja Mehra: What do you think they will want from the Centre to come on board?
Smita Gupta: No sign yet of AIADMK joining NDA. Joining the NDA will also make the AIADMK less independent
Sruthisagar: The other major issue is also keeping petroleum products outside GST purview. Above all, the State is expecting a loss of revenue of 9200 crore due to implementation of GST. I think a compensation package on this front would seal the deal.
@SonofChaudhary asked a question on Twitter:
#AskTH is there any sign of Jaylalithaa to join NDA?
Comments from Patabhi RK:
And then submissions of these memorandums etc are just formalities more of administrative nature. Especially issue on Katchadeevu, I guess it wouldn't be really solved as there is no political will. All parties want that issue to be burning for eternity for electoral gains.
Sruthisagar: Most AIADMK leaders feel BJP with its own front will help their prospects by dividing votes. In the current scenario, TN looks like it is heading for a four-cornered fight.
Comment from Subbu:
Subbu: IS there a chance JJ and Modi will form an alliance in next assembly elections in Chennai?
Smita Gupta: The BJP is very keen on having an alliance as it will give the party a foothold ina new areas. The decision will lie with JJ as she is in a commanding position
Comment from Ravi:
Puja can Kachateevu be reclaimed? Is it feasible ?
Comment from Meenakshi:
What will Modi govt. do regarding the Cauvery issue?
Smita Gupta: While the BJP is keen to please Tamil Nadu, it will definitely balance its interests n competitor states. Well, the Tamil Nadu CM made a gesture by inviting the PM to lunch -- but I would think on the Tamil Nadu CM's part, it is issue-based.
Sruthi sagar: Cauvery is a very sensitive issue for both Congress and BJP since they have big stakes in Karnataka. So they would probably maintain status quo. Even Rahul Gandhi was evasive on the Cauvery question when he visited Tamil Nadu in July.
Samir Kumar posted a question on Twitter:
#AskTH How would you define relations b/w PM and JJ ? Strained, good, great or issue based ??
Comment from Rahul:
Do you think the katcha theevu issue will ever be solved? What are Modi's intentions towards Jayalalitha's request?
Coal Scam posted a question on Twitter:
@pujamehra #AskTH Would you see the visit as an attempt to mollify the CM's recent stand against the #landbill?
Comment from Brajesh:
Should Modi's visit to Chennai be seen alone ?? It has a pattern. Amit Shah is already there before him. What's the message ?
Smita Gupta: I would say the BJP-- Mr Modi and Mr Shah -- have multiple objectives: first to win compiance on the GST Bill passing which is key to the Centre's economic reforms agenda. Two, it is in the hope of forging an electoral alliance with the AIADMK to enlarge its political footprint in the south
Comment from Subbu:
IF JJ and BJP form an alliance, then is there a chance that all the other parties TN parties will form an alliance against these two?
Puja Mehra’s reply to Twitter questions:
@CoalScam : i would say it is more to get the AIADMK and Tamil Nadu on board for GST ... and the other political alignments
Comment from Smita Gupta:
#AskTH Well, the Tamil Nadu CM made a gesture by inviting the PM to lunch -- but I would think on the Tamil Nadu CM's part, it is issue-based.
Sruthisagar: @Subbu The Left and PMK have made it clear that they would not join the DMK in an alliance. Which means, we have two new fronts already. A rainbow alliance against AIADMK like in 2004/2006 would not not be possible this time.
Comment from Swathi:
Why not? Would the Left and the PMK not join up together this time?
Comment from Gnanam:
@Sruthisagar: If the BJP and AIADMK do tie up, how real will be the fear of saffronisation of TN?
Smita Gupta: Saffronisation will increase wherever the BJP grows: with a BJP govt at the Centre, all RSS front organisations have a congenial eco-system in which to grow
Sruthisagar: @Gnanam If the BJP ties up with the AIADMK, they would have to Hindutva in the back burner, at least for now. Any overt activity on that front will hurt the AIADMK in an alliance. Of course, all this is hypothetical. We still do not know if the alliance would happen.
Smita Gupta: Which is why the AIADMK is understandably wary
Comment from Swathi:
But weren't the BJP and AIADMK at loggerheads with each other at one point? What has changed?
Sruthisagar: Yes. Jaya would not want to provide the weapon of "secularism" again to Karunanidhi. She would have to deal with the biggest nemesis of a ruling party- Anti-incumbency. She would need support of all sections to win. Remember, no part have won consecutive elections in TN after 1987.
Sruthisagar: party has won*
Comment from Ariesnr:
Why lunch meet now? Parliment or TN Assembly election?
Smita Gupta: Both
Comment from Sruthisagar: And saffronisation is a process. That would be the long term goal. The alliance we are talking about is purely electoral.
Smita Gupta: Of course: for the BJP, first goal is electoral, the second is spreading the saffrom message ral
Comment from Subbu :
Is there any danger in safronisation?
Comment from Mxyzptlk: Not at all, untill it is non-violent
Comment from Bharani”:
What do BJP's chances look like in TN, without AIADMK's support?
Sruthisagar: Bleak. Only day before, the DMDK said it was no longer part of the any alliance. They are now pretty much on their own. Winning a single seat on their own would be a phenomenal victory.
Sruthisagar: @Swathi The State BJP unit has been highly critical of the AIADMK. But with Congress and BJP, State units in TN doesn't really matter.
Comment from Smita Gupta:
Sagar, how successful was the PM's visit -- as far as convincing the Tamil Nadu CM on the GST issue?
Sruthisagar: Details are awaited, Smita. Given the strong stand she has taken in the memorandum, I wonder if the PM managed to achieve anything substantial.
Comment from Swathi:
And will she ever be convinced?
Smita Gupta: Sagar, do you think Amit Shah's attempt to woo Dalits can be successful?
Sruthisagar: The Dalit organisation that organised the function is run by a former RSS pracharak. Most view it as a propped up organisation. Among the Dalits, the BJP has very little support. The AIADMK is the preferred choice of the community.
Comment from Bharath:
Were there any political motivations behind him meeting Cho? Or was it simply a personal call?
Sruthisagar: Mr. Cho has been in and out of hospital for a while. I do not see any other reason for the visit.
Comment from Bharath:
A question for Puja: if the GST bill was approved by Jaya, what are the implications for TN?
Puja Mehra: implications for the reform you mean?
Bharath: Yes of course
Comment from Kirthi:
Will Tamil Nadu oppose GST?
Puja Mehra: I think the Modi Government will try hard to bring Tamil Nadu on board.. it is like Maharashtra and Gujarat a big manufacturing state. and attracts a lot of business and investments. It will have to be convinced
Comment from Anantha:
Why isn't the TN govt supporting the GST? What are its issues with the bill?
Puja Mehra: Well, the AIADMK feels that the GST Council impinges on the sovereignty of the Parliament and States
Comment from Prakash27dec:
Modi's meeting Jayalalithaa, in Tamil Nadu as a part of Nurture The BJP in the south.
Comment by Namasivayam via Facebook:
This is a courtesy call for seeking support in Parliament. Jayalalitha knows that BJP has no base in Tamilnadu. Her vote bank is entirely different.
Comment by Subbu:
BJP and AIADMK were on an alliance during Vajpayee Jis tenure. But it got back fired. Now can BJP trust JJ again?
Sruthisagar: Things have changed. Modi and Jayalalithaa share a great camaraderie.
Comment from Priya:
What has changed
Comment from prakas27dec:
I think it should be can JJ trust BJP
Comment from Subbu:
What about the Wealth case on JJ?
Smita Gupta: This isnt about trust: it is about what each party can extract from the other
Comment from Prerna:
BJP may make way for Cauvery issue but what if Tamil Nadu govt has more demands?
Comment from Aparna:
BJP and AIADMK must get together to form a bigger alliance
by Aparna 5:57 PM
Comment from Eshwari:
Was the visit solely for handloom sector alone? www.thehindu.com
by Eshwari 5:59 PM
Comment from Anu:
GST is a national policy issue, so I'm guessing Tamil Nadu has to give way.
prakas27dec: GST should be nationalised , not regional ....
Smita Gupta: Not necessarily:the Tamil Nadu govt has its concerns and if the PM has been able to address those concerns satisfactorilly, only then will TN agree to backing GST. Clearly, the AIADMK govt will not want the DMK yo be given a handle against it
Smita Gupta: But states will always look at state interests
Puja Mehra: Yes, i agree with Smita.
Puja Mehra: The Centre will want to address the State's concerns and this meeting between the PM and the CM of the State seems to be one such step
Comment from the The Hindu:
Thank you all for participating in the chat.
Comment from Puja Mehra:
Thanks everybody for your questions... bye
Comment from prakas27dec:
GST is business friendly , it should be People friendly.
Comment from Smita Gupta:
Thanks everybody for your questions... bye
Comment from The Hindu:
Special thanks to our correspondents Puja Mehra, Smita Gupta and Sruthisagar Yamunan.
