Unwilling to let BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi appropriate the mantle of a growth crusader, Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa pitched in, saying the state had received higher incremental investments under her governance, even more than Gujarat.
Addressing a gathering of industrialists after unveiling new industrial, auto and biotech policies, she said, “According to CMIE (Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy), incremental investment attracted by Tamil Nadu between June 2011 and January 2014 is 1,46,800 crore. Tamil Nadu has achieved 18.2% growth in investments, higher than states like Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka.”
The government showcased agreements with 16 businesses keen to establish operations in the state. The memoranda of understanding signed at the event signify commitments worth 5,081 crore and may help shore up the sagging image of TN as an investment destination.
Wanting to be seen as a serious contender on the national scene, and not a regional satrap, Jayalalithaa said, “I have a vision for India in which Tamil Nadu will play a key role — a vision of a resurgent India, a nation with an inclusive society and open markets, a nation of enterprise and creativity driven by knowledge and shaped by family values, a nation of growth with equity, a nation with peace, stability and development, a modern, secular and prosperous India. I want to assure you all that this day is not far.”
The audience had a galaxy of businessmen, including Venu Srinivasan of TVS, Rafeeque Ahmed of Farida Group, Kris Gopalakrishnan of Infosys, Ficci president Sidharth Birla and Rana Kapoor of Yes Bank.
The CM’s pitch to investors was the first in more than a year. The last time she reached out to corporate India was in 2012 when she interacted with a slew of businesses and signed up agreements worth 26,625 crore.
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