Vijay-led Tamil Nadu alliance to get new name, build distinct identity
Health Minister K G Arunraj said the ruling alliance will adopt a common name on September 9. The move is meant to sharpen its political identity as the government counters criticism and pursues investment plans.
The ruling alliance in Tamil Nadu will officially adopt a unified coalition name at a meeting on September 9 to create a distinct political identity, state Health Minister KG Arunraj said on Sunday. He said the move came in response to requests from allies and added that the alliance needed a clear identity.
Arunraj also said Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay would give a detailed reply in the Assembly to recent criticism on law and order by Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin. He further spoke about the proposed second airport for Chennai and said the Chief Minister's upcoming official visit to London would focus on attracting investment, including in sports infrastructure.
Speaking to reporters, Arunraj said, "We'll give a name, as our alliance partners are requesting it. We need to have an identity and build on it."
On the opposition's criticism over law and order, he said, "Our honourable CM will definitely answer all these questions and will also answer to the people," and described the remarks as an attempt to "score some brownie points" with "few punch dialogues" that were "totally disconnected with the feelings of the people".
The minister rejected the DMK's allegations and said, "one of the main reasons why the DMK lost is because of their improper and very poor handling of law and order situation".
He said the previous administration "couldn't even appoint a regular DGP," and contrasted that with the current government's quick appointment of a police chief, the creation of a special task force for women's safety, and steps to tackle the "drug menace".
On the proposed second airport, Arunraj said, "We are in the process of finding an alternative site. So, definitely we are not against the second Greenfield Airport for Chennai." He said the government objected only to the earlier "choice of location and the due process not being followed in the selection of that site".
He also said the Chief Minister's official trip to London is "going to attract investments, including in sports infrastructure to give a fillip to sports facilities here". Overall, Arunraj said the alliance was moving to formalise its identity, while the government would answer criticism in the Assembly and push ahead with investment and infrastructure plans.