The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : MDMK claims credit for Sethu project

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Sep 07, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

MDMK claims credit for Sethu project

By Our Special Correspondent

By Our Special

Correspondent

CHENNAI, SEPT. 6. The Centre's move to implement the Sethusamudram project is the result of sustained efforts by the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in the last six years, the general secretary, Vaiko, claimed today.

In a statement here, he said that way back in 1998, the party placed the demand before the then Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who, readily agreeing to the request, not only announced that the Centre was committed to the project but also assured steps to implement it.

Meeting with PM

As soon as the United Progressive Alliance led by the Congress came to power in May this year, Mr. Vaiko said, he met the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, and the Defence Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, and explained to them the need for early implementation.

Pranab's promise

At the swearing-in of the new Central Ministers, Mr. Mukherjee personally met him and conveyed the Centre's decision to go ahead with the project.

Now the Prime Minister came out with the announcement that it would be executed at a cost of Rs 2000 crores.

Thanking the Prime Minister, Mr. Vaiko said it was providence that the scheme was announced at a time when the MDMK was planning to celebrate the birth anniversary of its mentor, the late C.N. Annadurai, on September 15 in Chennai.

Baalu's statement

Mr. Vaiko's claim comes at a time when the Shipping Minister, T.R. Baalu, belonging to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, declared that the project had become a reality, thanks to the sustained efforts of his party supremo, M. Karunanidhi.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu