Remarks made in Tirunelveli
Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Rajmohan, speaking in Tirunelveli, took a swipe at former Chief Minister Stalin, saying he has “turned into a Pattimandram (debate) speaker” and is now speaking for political reasons.
Live telecast of Assembly proceedings
Rajmohan said the government is fully telecasting Assembly proceedings live—from the playing of Thirukkural to the end of the session—and claimed thousands, including school students, are watching. He alleged that during the previous DMK government, opposition leader Palaniswami had complained that his speech was not shown, while the current opposition leader’s speech is being broadcast in full.
Protests and government’s mandate
He also questioned whether it was fair for DMK members to stand up and raise slogans when the Chief Minister spoke in the Assembly. Rajmohan said the government is not running on anyone’s “mercy” but on the support of the people, especially women.
Secretariat space, foreign talks and reports
Citing crowding in the current Assembly complex due to visitors and people meeting leaders, he said a new Secretariat is needed and that the Chief Minister would decide in the public interest. On investment-related discussions, he said it is proper to hold talks by visiting multinational companies at their locations, and that this was why discussions were held in London; a detailed report would be released after the talks conclude. He added that Marxist secretary Shanmugam is entitled to speak and that the government would accept what it can from his views.
