Chennai/ Delhi, July 19(BPNS)
President Ramnath Kovind will chair the centenary celebration of the Tamil Nadu assembly which was established in 1921. He will also unveil the portrait of former Chief Minister Late, M. Karunanidhi during the event.
This was announced by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin after meeting the President at the Rashtrapathi Bhavan on Monday. Chief Minister told reporters that the date of the program will be announced soon after the President’s office provide a schedule.
Chief Minister said that the President will also be laying the foundation for a library in memory of the late Chief Minister at Madurai, a multi-specialty hospital at Guindy, and a memorial pillar at Marina beach to mark the platinum jubilee of India’s independence.
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister however said that he had not taken up the issue of the release of the convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case with the President and added that he had already written a letter to the President to grant clemency for the convicts.
He said that the Mekedatu dam issue was also not taken up with the President and added that he had taken up the matter with the Prime Minister. He also said that a 13 member all-party delegation from Tamil Nadu under the leadership of the Water Resources minister, S Duraimurugan had met the Union Jal Shakthi Minister regarding the same.
Stalin said that during the meeting of the Tamil Nadu delegation with the Jal Shakthi Minister, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the latter had assured that no permission would be given to Karnataka for the construction of the dam at Mekedatu.
Regarding the Karnataka Chief Minister, Yeddyurappa’s statement that the state would go ahead with the construction of the Mekedatu dam, Stalin said that both the Prime Minister and the Union Jal Shakthi minister had assured the Tamil Nadu side that permission would not be given for construction at Mekedatu. He also said that the matter is with the court and that the state would fight it legally also.
Stalin also confirmed the statement of State water resources minister, S Duraimurugan that Tamil Nadu would not go for any talks with Karnataka on the Mekedatu dam issue.
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said that the atmosphere in the state is not conducive to the opening of schools and colleges and added that the government would speak with the students, teachers, and parents and arrive at a decision.
Stalin also said that the state is ready to face any eventuality of a possible third wave of the Covid pandemic and called upon the people not to let their guards down regarding Covid protocols.
