P. Thangamani hits out at BJP chief over Centre’s participation

Chennai: State industries minister P. Thangamani lashed out at BJP state president Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan for alleging that Central ministers were not invited for Monday’s Chennai metro rail launch, and asserted that Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu was invited at the request of Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. However, reacting to his caustic remarks, Dr Tamilisai wondered why the photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was missed out on the advertisements released for metro rail launch.

Taking strong exception to the BJP president’s charge, Mr Thangamani earlier on Tuesday claimed that Mr Venkaiah could not make it for the function as he had to make an overseas trip.“The metro rail project is a Centre-state initiative, coming under the Union ministry for urban development. Therefore it was the desire of Amma (Ms Jayalalithaa) that Venkaiah Naidu should participate in the inauguration.

Accordingly, due invitation was extended to him on June 16, 2015,” the minister explained. But, Mr Venkaiah had conveyed that he would not be in India from June 28 to July 11 and insisted that the function be held as planned on June 29.Further, the Union minister had deputed a joint secretary cadre official from his department to attend the inauguration, Mr Thangamani said in a statement and hit out at Dr Tamilisai for making“half-baked” statements.

Safety clearance for starting the services on the route was given early this month and the state government had sought Election Commission’s approval to launch the facility since R K Nagar bypoll was scheduled on June 27. The Election Commission had given its nod saying the services could be launched after completion of polling but mandated that no information must be published about the same.

Hence, it was decided to launch the Metro Rail services on June 29, without making public announcement, he said. “I am happy to have the metro rail launched for Chennai. I had only pointed out some lapses .. and Thangamani has reacted by stooping to such a low level. I never exceeded my brief while expressing views on any issue. Critisising as half-baked is unwarranted and it is unbecoming of a minister,” Dr Tamilisai said responding to his statement.

Wondering why Union Minister of State for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan was not invited, she reminded the minister that the lives of leaders — (DMK president) Mr Karunanidhi’s Tamil and Ms. Jayalalithaa’s courageousness had always inspired her.