15.3.10

PM opens TN assembly bldg


TN Chief minister M Karunanidhi greets UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi at the inauguration of the assembly complex in Chennai on Saturday. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa and Andhra Pradesh chief minister K Rosaiah also took part in the function .Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addressing the gathering after opening the assembly building, said he turned to Karunanidhi often for advice and added that the UPA government had greatly benefited from the wisdom and leadership of the DMK chief. “It is only appropriate that the decision to construct this new complex was taken by this giant of Tamil Nadu politics,” he said. Earlier, Sonia described Karunanidhi as “a pillar of strength” for the UPA. The Prime Minister had always contacted Karunanidhi to get his views on important issues, she said and added that without Karunanidhi’s support “it would not have been possible” to pass the women’s reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha. “I express my gratitude to him,” she said. Though technical experts and architects might have designed and constructed the new assembly, the spirit behind the effort was that of Karunanidhi, said Sonia. The CM too was lavish with his appreciation of Sonia, calling her “the noble daughter of India”. Reiterating the DMK’s camaraderie with the Congress and gently reminding his national ally that he was a trustworthy friend, Karunanidhi said their firm resolve had defied all endeavours to create enmity between the two parties. Referring to the success of the alliance in the 2006 assembly and 2009 parliamentary polls, he said: “The understanding between the Congress and the DMK continues to prosper and it goes to prove the assertion made by (late Congress leader) Indira Gandhi that ‘Karunanidhi will be firm in his stance — both in the alliance as well as in the opposition’ at a meeting held on Marina beach in 1980.” Congratulating the CM for setting up a magnificent edifice to house the assembly, Singh paid tribute to Rajagopalachari, Kamaraj and Annadurai. Inspired by them, several leaders like C Subramaniam, R Venkataraman and MG Ramachandran had served the country. While Subramaniam played a historic role in liberating India from the clutches of hunger and dependence on imported food, Venkataraman was the architect of industrial development and MGR had set an example for all through his mid-day meals scheme, “which our government has improved upon,” noted Singh. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Tamil Nadu was a model for the development of the whole country. “It has attained new heights in rural development and agrarian transformation. On many fronts today, Tamil Nadu is a role model for the rest of the country.” However, “We cannot and should not rest on our laurels. As a nation, we must strive to do things differently. We need more educated people, a more efficient economy, a more equitable society. If we do not innovate, we will be left behind by history.” Singh had a word of advice for legislators too. He said legislators should regard power as “societal trust” to be used for public good. “Legislators are also watchdogs of public finance and they must ensure that there is no wasteful exploitation of public money. Collectively, they need to deal sternly with corruption and inefficiency in our governance.” He expressed hope that “in these premises (the new assembly), we will see a new India speaking, a new India being guided, and a new India being inspired.” Sonia Gandhi, who was also present on the occasion, recalled the history of the Tamil Nadu legislature and said the state held the distinction of electing the first ever woman representative — Muthulakshmi Reddy — to any legislature in the country in 1927. The House had witnessed great debates between C Subramaniam and CN Annadurai, and between M Karunanidhi and MGR, she noted. Sonia Gandhi said the federal framework of the Constitution, if implemented in the right spirit, would go a long way in ensuring inclusive growth and development. The state legislatures should share their power with the local bodies to strengthen the federal set up, she pointed out.

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