Coimbatore, Sept 5:
Tamil Nadu Revenue Minister KA Sengottaiyan has said Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay need not personally respond to every question raised by Opposition parties in the Assembly, with ministers concerned empowered to answer queries relating to their respective departments.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Sengottaiyan said it was normal for ministers to respond on behalf of the Chief Minister on departmental matters. He pointed out that the same practice had been followed during earlier governments, including the previous DMK regime.
His remarks came amid criticism over the functioning of the Assembly and the manner in which announcements were being made under Rule 110.
Sengottaiyan said Rule 110 announcements were not a new practice and had been followed by successive Chief Ministers. He also defended the proposal to construct a new Assembly building, saying Tamil Nadu required a dedicated facility in view of increasing administrative requirements.
He pointed out that an Assembly complex constructed during the DMK regime was later converted into a hospital, while former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had also explored shifting the Assembly to the Queen Mary’s College premises.
On the law and order situation, Sengottaiyan said the government was taking various measures to maintain public order and curb the circulation of narcotic substances.
Asked about demands from some TVK ministers that Vijay be projected as a Prime Ministerial candidate, Sengottaiyan avoided a direct response. He said the Chief Minister’s immediate objective was to lead Tamil Nadu towards greater progress and make the State a guide for the country across sectors.
When asked about the Congress opposing Vijay’s projection and supporting Rahul Gandhi for the Prime Minister’s post, Sengottaiyan said he had already explained the Chief Minister’s position and declined to take further questions on the issue.