PRIME VISIT
Marking a healthy change in Tamil Nadu politics, which is beset with personal rivalry, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met ailing DMK chief M Karunanidhi, a staunch ally of the Congress, at his Gopalapuram residence in Chennai to enquire about his health.
Marking a healthy change in Tamil Nadu politics, which is beset with personal rivalry, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met ailing DMK chief M. Karunanidhi, a staunch ally of the Congress, at his Gopalapuram residence here to enquire about his health.
The meeting, termed a “courtesy call”, is bound to set off intense political speculation about the parties coming together as both sides displayed great warmth during the 20 minutes that Modi spent with Karunanidhi.
However, in an attempt to clarify that the meeting has nothing to do with politics, the DMK announced that its cadre should wear black bands on Wednesday as planned earlier to mark the first anniversary of demonetisation, a pet policy of Modi.
DMK working president M.K. Stalin, who returned from Sharjah on Monday morning, welcomed Modi outside the residence along with Kanimozhi and took him inside the bungalow.
“Appa, Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi has come to meet you”, Stalin told Karunanidhi, who gestured at Modi and later welcomed him with a smile. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday promised “all possible assistance” to Tamil Nadu government for carrying out relief work in Chennai and other districts affected by the recent rains as Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami sought a financial assistance of `1,500 crore from the Centre.
Reviewing the situation arising out of the rains that have been lashing the city and its suburbs since last week with Palaniswami and deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, Modi gave a patient hearing to them on the damages caused to city’s infrastructure and assured “all help” from the Centre in restoring them.
Beginning his speech at a media event by paying homage to those killed in the recent rains, Modi assured all possible support to the Tamil Nadu government to tackle the situation due to rains. Later, the Twitter handle of the Prime Minister’s Office tweeted about the meeting Modi had with Palaniswami and Panneerselvam, reiterating the same message.