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Crucial Jaya-Modi meet in Delhi today
All eyes will be on the meeting between Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled for Tuesday, as it is expected to win some goodies for Tamil Nadu. There is also some speculation over the entry of AIADMK into NDA.
Chennai
Sources in the State government said the CM would present a memorandum on various issues facing Tamil Nadu, including liberal financial assistance. She is also expected to take up with the PM several inter-state issues like the Cauvery and Mullaiperiyar dam rows involving Karnataka and Kerala, respectively.
During the meeting, she is expected to urge Modi on the urgent need to set up the Cauvery Management Board and the Cauvery River Water Regulatory Authority. The CM will also discuss the frequent abduction of fishermen by Lankan forces and the need to retrieve Katchatheevu. Modi on his part may seek the support of AIADMK for the passage of the long pending GST Bill.
Political pundits feel that the meeting may also pave the way for the Dravidian giant to join political hands with the saffron party. So, with 12 MPs in the Rajya Sabha coupled with the support of the ruling BJP at the Centre, AIADMK will have a greater say with the Union Government in matters related to TN. Further, with the Congress being nearly routed in the entire country in elections, AIADMK feels this is the right time to strengthen its position at the Centre and in Parliament.
BJP may also like to have her on board because of AIADMK’s strong presence in the Upper House, which may help the ruling party at the Centre to get many bills, mainly the GST passed. Further, an alliance with the AIADMK will also help the BJP to boost its prospects in the 2019 LS elections in TN, opine political observers.
No TN minister for UDAY?
The State does not appear to be giving serious thought to the two-day energy ministers conference to be held in Goa from June 16, the same day the State Assembly will convene here.
Tamil Nadu is among the very few states to have opposed the UDAY scheme, which, the Centre claims, has been planned to rescue and revive debt-ridden staterun distribution companies.
DTNext has reliably learnt that the government is planning to depute a chief engineer-level officer for the ministerial consultation, whose agenda would mainly be to convince all states to subscribe to UDAY, which, a Rs 80,000 plus crore debt-ridden Tangedco has been opposing tooth and nail. “Assembly will be convened on the same day. How is it possible for a minister to attend?” said a highly placed government source requesting anonymity.
Responding specifically to UDAY, the source said, “We have not signed it (UDAY). Our engineers may skip the UDAY session.” Perhaps, TN would preempt and not wait till the Goa conclave to present its wish list for the energy sector as Chief Minister Jayalalaithaa, in all probability, would be doing it when she calls on Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday.
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