Why TN govt stand changed on 4 vital issues?: MK Stalin

Chennai: The Leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin on Tuesday charged the state government with changing the stand of Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on major issues like the UDAY scheme, National Food Security Protection Act, GST and NEET and urged Finance Minister O. Panneerselvam to issue a white paper on the shift in stand.

The DMK treasurer asked “Who is setting the agenda for the state government and who is governing the state? What are the compulsions to change its opposition to the centre’s schemes?” Stalin asked the people to be aware of those who want to rule from behind the scenes against democratic traditions, country’s constitution and people’s verdict.

Citing the Chief Minister’s stiff opposition on the four issues, he said in a petition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 14, she had clearly said the state government would not consent to GST if the Centre failed to provide Rs 9,270 crores compensation. She also disagreed with UDAY scheme saying it would lead to hike in electricity charges every three months.

Jayalalithaa also sought the scrapping of NEET and exemption for Tamil Nadu from the National Food Security Protection Act. On all the four issues, the present government had given its consent, Stalin said and asked the state government to explain the reasons for the change. He also alleged that the AIADMK had come forward to support the Centre’s new education policy.

After the Governor’s intervention, O. Panneerselvam was given the portfolios of the Chief Minister and was given powers to preside over Cabinet meetings.

Though Panneerselvam convened the cabinet meeting twice, the decisions taken at the meeting were not made public, Stalin said.

Pointing out that the previous DMK government issued press releases on the decisions taken at such cabinet meetings ensuring transparency, he said the AIADMK government is keeping cabinet decisions under wraps and expressed his anguish over such secrecy.