Tamil Nadu CM distances himself from minister remarks on supporting BJP
PUDUKOTTAI: Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Friday distanced himself from the remarks of dairy development minister K.T.Rajendra Balaji that the AIADMK could support the BJP in the Presidential elections and said his party is yet to take a decision.
Reacting to a question on AIADMK stand on Presidential elections, Palaniswami said the election had been announced only now and his party would take a decision soon. When asked about Rajendra Balaji's remarks that BJP is not an untouchable party and there was nothing wrong in supporting it, the Chief Minister said "I am not aware of the remarks. I come to know about it only through you".
Answering queries over the stability of his government, the Chief Minister said his government is strong with the support of 123 MLAs. The government had brought good schemes for the people. Denying allegations of leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin, the Chief Minister said "This is not a benami, tsunami or xerox government, but a stable government".
To a query on cattle sale ban for slaughter, he said he had not received the full report of the Centre on the subject and he could react only he got it. He also pointed out that the centre had promised to consider the demands of opposition parties. He reiterated his opposition to the hydrocarbon and methane gas projects and said 'Amma government will not accept anything that will harm the people". Palanisami also said he had opposed Neet and requested the Centre to provide exception to it.
He also denied complaints of lack of sufficient doctors in government and said he is considering filling up of all the vacancies in hospitals. He said former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa had already informed to the centre about the place where AIMMS should be lo-
cated.
CM's anecdote on merger of AIADMK factions
Palanisami apparently hit out former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam with an anecdote accusing him of not coming for merger even after the judgment of powerful rulers.
Inaugurating the Pudukottai Medical College, he said a tiger separated from its family and joined with a wolf and fox. They had a dispute over sharing a deer which they planned to hunt and went to the lion, the ruler of the forest.
After hearing the dispute, the lion asked them to bring their prey, so that it could divide it among the three. But, the animals told them they had not hunted the deer. The lion told the three animals not to fight over something which had they had not got and asked them to be stay united. It also advised the tiger to join its family, but the tiger is not returning to the family after the judgment of the lion.
Partymen believe that the 'lion' refers to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the 'tiger' in the story is Panneerselvam. The wolf and fox could be some leaders who are with Panneerselvam at the moment.
