TN Contingent Gets Glimpse of Power shift

CHENNAI: They may not have taken oath along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the rest of his team, but they were part of the contingent that went to Delhi from TN to watch the power shift happen.

This was a contingent that travelled despite the protests against the presence of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa. It included a handful of representatives from the film fraternity and a number of members from parties allied with the BJP.

Superstar Rajinikanth had chosen to stay away from the event, despite receiving an invitation, in view of the strong sentiment against Rajapaksa. Instead, his wife Latha and younger daughter Soundarya attended the ceremony. Actor Vijay too chose to skip the event. The two actors had met Modi ahead of the elections, sparking rumours that they might express support for the BJP.

Despite reservations over the decision to invite Rajapaksa to the ceremony as part of the contingent of SAARC leaders, Tamil Nadu’s political class saw significant representation.

The BJP was represented by senior leaders K N Laxmanan, L Ganesan, C P Radhakrishnan, Mohanrajulu, Tamilisai Soundararajan and others.DMDK’s power trio of leader Vijayakant, his wife Premalatha and her brother L K Sudhish were also present.

The PMK sent a team headed by Anbumani Ramadoss and president G K Mani. Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was among the conspicuous absentees among the ranks of CM from across the country.

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