Higher Education Minister Viswanathan has issued a clarification amid debate over whether the Chief Minister or the Governor should serve as chancellor of Tamil Nadu’s universities.
Speaking to reporters in Madurai, the minister said his party is not bound to follow the DMK’s position that the Chief Minister should be the chancellor. He added that Chief Minister Vijay would take a policy decision on the matter and that an announcement would be made soon.
In the same interaction, Viswanathan also reiterated that Tamil Nadu would not allow even a single brick to be laid for a dam across the Cauvery at Mekedatu, and said the Tamil Nadu Congress would stand firmly with the Chief Minister’s position on the issue.
After criticism over his remarks, the minister released a statement saying he had only responded that the Chief Minister would take a policy decision at the appropriate time. He denied that he had made any comment on the existing arrangement and alleged that his words were distorted for political motives.
He further said portraying his remarks as undermining state rights was politically motivated.
