Chidambaram denies TMC, DMK rift

On the view that the Press was creating a rift between the DMK and the TMC, the Finance Minister said, “I am not saying that the Press is creating the rift. But as long as we know who our common enemy is, it is all right.”

Chidambaram said the AIADMK led by the policies of J Jayalalitha was the “common enemy” and that the state had lost the opportunity to progress economically and industrially during the five-year tenure of Jayalalitha as Chief Minister, he said.”

Asked to list the achievements of the DMK government, Chidambaram said the State Government had filled up the vacancies in police departments and teaching posts, managed the flood relief operations well, introduced a good ration card system and had welcomed new industries to Tamil Nadu.

Hyundai was setting up a car project in the state, Japan had granted a Rs 250 crore grant for the Tuticorin Port, and a World Bank loan was being sought for infrastructure development like construction of highways.

When quizzed about the Cauvery issue, Chidambaram evaded reply, simply saying that “individuals cannot give opinions”. When the State Government convenes a meeting of all parties, the TMC will give its opinion on the issue, he said.

Meanwhile, TMC president G K Moopanar on Wednesday said the party would play the role of a positive and constructive opposition in Tamil Nadu, and would not hesitate to point out the shortcomings of DMK rule.

He told media persons that he had called on Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Tuesday night to congratulate him on his decision to do away with the naming of districts and transport corporations in the state after caste leaders and political stalwarts.

On whether he was happy that the Chief Minister had accepted the two suggestions made by him to resolve the problem caused by caste conflicts (removal of leaders’ names from corporations and, instead, instituting educational scholarships in their names), he said there was no question of taking credit for suggestions. The important thing was that the Chief Minister had taken a firm and bold decision which had been appreciated by various sections. He said the people of the state, including in the southern districts, had welcomed the move. Although the decision would not solve the problem altogether, it was a step in the right direction, and would go a long way to solve the problem, he remarked. There would have to be a change of heart as far as all the communities were concerned, he added.