New Delhi: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital on Friday. Stalin sought early release of pending funds to the state to implement various welfare schemes. He also requested PM Modi to personally intervene to protect the interest of Tamil fishermen.
On his meeting with PM Modi, Stalin said that usually 15 minutes time is alloted for such meetings, however, his appointment with the Prime Minister lasted for around 45 minutes. Stalin said that the Prime Minister heard his concerns patiently.
“Usually 15 minutes would be given. But this time during my meeting with PM we spoke for 45 mins. I met him as a CM. He heard our concerns as PM,” Stalin said describing his meeting with PM Modi.
CM MK Stalin said that he has made three requests to PM Modi during the meeting. “It was a courtesy call with PM Modi…I have made 3 important requests to PM Modi. I have given a detailed memorandum to him listing out our request…Just like how the Union and State governments together implemented the first phase of Chennai Metro, similarly second phase of Chennai Metro also should be implemented. That is our stand,” he said.
Stalin requested PM Modi to intervene to protect the interest of Tamil fishermen. This comes after 28 fishermen from Idinthakarai fishing village of Tirunelveli district were apprehended by the Bahrain Coast Guard on September 11.
Stalin has also written to External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar to take immediate diplomatic initiatives to ensure consular access and legal assistance to secure early release of the fishermen. In a letter, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said, “It has come to my attention that 28 fishermen from Idinthakarai fishing village, Tirunelveli District, who were engaged in fishing labour in Iran, were apprehended by the Bahrain Coast Guard on September 11 for inadvertently crossing the border.”
After meeting Modi, Stalin also met Sonia Gandhi, ahead of a public rally in Kancheepuram on September 28, where leaders from the opposition coalition will gather.
Stalin arrived in the national capital on Thursday evening and received a warm welcome from DMK leaders, including members of Parliament T R Baalu, Tiruchi Siva, Dayanidhi Maran, K Kanimozhi, and T Sumathy among others.
