Coimbatore: After maintaining a soft stance towards the AIADMK government for quite some time, BJP leader and Union minister of state for road transport, highways and shipping, Pon Radhakrishnan on Sunday took pot shots at the government saying that, unlike other states, Tamil Nadu’s phase of development has been poor. Pointing out that Tamil Nadu has been slow in its development unlike other states; he said that other states are growing much faster. “But the BJP will work towards turning Tamil Nadu into number one state in all spheres in the country,” he said while delivering a speech on ‘strategies for making Indian textile industry globally competitive’ organised by eight textile associations, here on Sunday.
The textile industries can look forward to discuss and solve their issues concerned at a meet to be convened in Delhi in July. “The industrial heads from across Tamil Nadu can meet up for a discussion in Delhi to find solutions to issues concerning them,” he said.Industrialists also sought the intervention of Union minister to rationalise duty structure, abolition of hank yarn obligation, relaxation of cabotage rule to permit foreign vessels to operate cargo in India and also install roof top solar plants with huge investments by state-owned NTPC in the sector.
Mr Pon Radhakrishnan also said that the feasibility study of Colachel port in Kanyakumari will get over in another two weeks. “Foreign vessels can reach here without taking the route through Colombo once the port gets commissioned. The port, if it comes up, will also help the industries to compete at the global level. Land needs to be acquired from several southern states for developing the port,” he said.
BJP general secretary, Muralidhar Rao also said that the BJP, which has completed its one-year term, has been striving to meet the expectations of the people. “The BJP has been laying more focus to the manufacturing sector, which was let down in the last two decades. I will also take up issues of the industries to find a solution,” he said.
Earlier, Pon Radhakrishnan blamed both the DMK and AIADMK government for not taking steps to implement prohibition. “Alcohol has ruined the lives of poor people and youngsters. Both the Dravidian parties have not taken any steps to abolish liquor. However BJP will take efforts to enforce prohibition, which will also be our main poll plank for the elections,” he said to reporters after distributing pamphlets on the achievements of one-year BJP rule to people in Selvapuram area. The minister also said that BJP will face the election, either by announcing the CM candidate or without announcement, but with a united alliance.
