CHENNAI: Industries Minister P Thangamani on Tuesday took exception to the remark of Tamil Nadu BJP president Tamilisai Soundararajan that the State government had failed to invite Union ministers for the inaugural function of the Metro Rail service in Chennai.
“Indeed, Union Minister for Urban Development Venkaiah Naidu was duly invited, but he had expressed his inability to attend the function as he would be on a visit abroad from June 28. It would be better if the State president of the BJP makes remarks after knowing the facts,” Thangamani said.
In a statement here, the Minister said Venkaiah had already conveyed that he would be on a foreign tour from June 28 till July 11 and that the inaugural function need not be deferred till his return to India, but should be held as scheduled on June 29. Thangamani said it was only in the absence of Venkaiah Naidu that the Joint Secretary of Urban Development Ministry attended the function.
The Minister further said that the government led by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was well-versed in democratic norms and the custom being followed in government functions. The five-time Chief Minister had been doing everything properly, he added.