AIADMK ruling TN for longest period after British: CM
Chennai, Sep 30 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami on Sunday said that after the British, it is the AIADMK which has ruled the state for the longest period of time.
Speaking at AIADMK founder and late Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran's (MGR) centenary celebrations here, Palaniswami said till MGR was alive, the opposition parties were not even thinking of taking power in Tamil Nadu.
Taking a dig at the much older DMK, Palaniswami said that after the British, it is only the AIADMK that has ruled the state for the longest time from Fort St.George, where the Secretariat is located.
After MGR, Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa took the party to further heights, he said.
Palaniswami said MGR was the first actor-turned-politician to be elected the Chief Minister of any state in the country and he was an example of how a leader should be.
MGR introduced the much acclaimed Nutritious Mid-Day Meals Scheme for school students to arrest the dropout rate of poor pupils.
The Chief Minister listed the Telugu Ganga Water Scheme for Chennai and waiving of Rs 330 crore of farm loans and others as the major welfare schemes implemented by MGR during his rule between 1977 and 1987.
Palaniswami announced his government will increase of Floor Space Index (FSI) in cities, set up a new international airport near Chennai; form a body to protect and restore water bodies and encourage households to grow vegetables in their homes.
The Chennai Muffosil Bus Terminus, popularly known as Koyambedu Bus Stand, will be renamed as Purathi Thalaivar Dr. MGR Bus Stand, he added.
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My party will complete 5-year term, says CM Siddaramaiah
Mysuru (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday asserted that the Congress government would complete its five-year term, while sidestepping questions on whether he personally would remain in office for the full duration.
Addressing reporters here, he maintained that decisions on the leadership would rest with the party high command and refrained from giving a direct answer on his own tenure.
“Our party will complete five years,” Siddaramaiah said, when asked if he would complete a full term as Chief Minister.
On the issue of leadership, he reiterated that the final call would be taken by the party leadership, saying, “The high command will decide. There’s no point asking the same thing again.”
Indicating his readiness to travel to the national capital if required, he said, “If I am called to Delhi, I will go,” adding that he would seek an appointment with Rahul Gandhi if needed.
The talks on leadership change have intensified in the power corridor of the state where claims were made that Siddaramaiah would make way for his Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
The Chief Minister also underlined that recent by-election victories in Bagalkote and Davanagere South assembly segment reflected public support for the government, stating that this clearly shows that people have appreciated the Congress government and its programmes.
The CM also dismissed the opposition’s claims, alleging they lacked strategy, and said local body elections would be conducted as per rules.
