Though Kamaraj belonged to the Congress party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had high regards for him and its cadre and leaders drew inspiration from his ideals, said M. Venkaiah Naidu, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, on Wednesday.
Addressing a meeting organised by the Nadar Mahajana Sangam in association with the Swadeshi Jagran Manch to celebrate the 112th birth anniversary of former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj here, Mr. Naidu said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared commonalities with Kamaraj.
Both had humble beginnings and Mr. Modi moved over to the national scene after successful stints as Chief Minister, like Kamaraj. The Tamil Nadu leader worked for empowerment of poor and Mr. Modi wanted to take it forward through his progressive schemes.
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As the Prime Minister believed that empowerment of the poor and youth would take the country forward, he introduced schemes such as ‘Make in India’, ‘Skill India’, ‘Digital India’ and ‘Clean India’ to unleash India’s potential.
Kamaraj always thought of the poorest of the poor and hence Mr. Modi wanted to provide social security for the poor and downtrodden.
The Prime Minister, Mr. Naidu said, respected the States and wanted them to work with the Centre as ‘Team India.’ Politics, he said, ended with elections and Chief Ministers should work in tandem with the Prime Minister.
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Mr. Naidu said that the foundation laid by Kamaraj in education, agriculture and industry brought Tamil Nadu to the forefront.
Only these three areas would bring about betterment and “populist schemes like giving away free grinder and mixers will not help people,” the Union Minister said even while clarifying that he was not against giving anything free.
The event was seen as an attempt by the BJP to take away its share of the Kamaraj pie in Tamil Nadu. Its president, Amit Shah, who was scheduled to address the gathering, had to be in New Delhi to attend a meeting of Chief Ministers. Instead, he deputed Mr. Naidu.