OPS questions timing of Goyal’s remark on TN

Terming the charges as baseless and false, he reacted in a statement on Monday that Jayalalithaa is continuously representing the issues concerning the people of the state to the central government. 

“Moreover, Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Pon Radhakrishnan too have voiced a similar opinion and it is highly objectionable,” Panneerselvam said.

He informed that it is public knowledge that Jayalalithaa is meeting the central ministers in the interest of the public and sending out representations to the central government on a regular basis. 

“Ever since the Narendra Modi led government assumed charge at the centre, the Chief Minister has met the Prime Minister and various central ministers on many occasions,” he said and added that the central ministers too have visited Jayalalithaa on few occasions in Chennai. 

Panneerselvam pointed out that Jayalalithaa is continuously pressurising the central government to take steps to free the fishermen arrested by Sri Lanka and also to release their fishing boats.

Shifting the blame to the central government, he charged that when the AIADMK MPs sought an appointment with the Prime Minister to discuss the fishermen issue it was not granted. 

“Similarly, no time was allotted when the MPs sought an appointment to discuss GAIL pipeline issue,” he said and added that Pon Radhakrishnan should take note of this. He also demanded that both the Union Ministers should stop such mischievous charges levelled against Jayalalithaa to gain political advantage.