Stalin's balancing act: Red carpet for Modi, memo on long-pending demands
The DMK government, while committed to strengthening public education, has consistently rejected the NEP's three-language formula and 5+3+3+4 school structure on legal and policy grounds. While the memorandum set out these differences clearly, the government ensured full participation in the prime minister's public programmes.Thennarasu was present at events in both Thoothukudi and Gangaikonda Chozhapuram, describing Modi's visit to the ancient Chola capital as 'a matter of pride'. The minister's presence demonstrated the state's respect for institutional protocol even as it continued to assert its distinct policy identity.Among the many long-pending infrastructure needs raised were railway projects that had received approval over a decade ago but remained unimplemented. These include the Tindivanam-Tiruvannamalai line via Senji (70 km), Erode-Palani (91 km), Madurai-Thoothukudi via Aruppukottai (60 km) and Chennai-Cuddalore via Mahabalipuram (180 km). Tamil Nadu also sought the Centre's approval for new lines, including Tirupattur-Krishnagiri-Hosur and suburban services around Madurai. Detailed project reports or route surveys were requested for lines connecting Coimbatore, Bhavani, Gobi and Salem.The memorandum called for improvements in the Chennai suburban rail network, including a fourth track between Tambaram and Chengalpattu, better peak-hour frequency, additional coaches (both AC and non-AC), and early implementation of the Avadi-Sriperumbudur rail line. The state urged faster clearances and timely fund allocations for all pending proposals.Expanding urban mobility in Tier 2 cities was also a priority. The state has already cleared metro rail projects for Coimbatore and Madurai, to be implemented by the Chennai Metro Rail Limited. The proposed Coimbatore Metro spans 34.8 km at a cost of Rs 10,740.49 crore while the Madurai Metro is projected to cover 32 km, with an outlay of Rs 11,368.35 crore. The state sought equal financial participation from the Centre under the Metro Rail Policy, 2017.advertisementThe Tamil Nadu government again raised concerns over the repeated arrests of Indian fishermen by Sri Lanka. Despite earlier interventions by the external affairs ministry and diplomatic efforts, the arrests continue. The memorandum urged Modi to personally intervene to secure a permanent diplomatic solution and ensure the immediate release of detained fishermen and their boats.The memorandum also pressed for reallocation of over 1,500 acres of unused land at the Salem Steel Plant for the creation of a defence industrial cluster. This would be part of the Defence Industrial Corridor for Tamil Nadu, announced in the Union Budget for 2018-19. The state government expressed its keenness to support India's self-reliance in defence manufacturing by accelerating this long-delayed initiative.Tamil Nadu's demands reflect its continued emphasis on development, federal dialogue and the constitutional right to shape its own policy direction while remaining constructively engaged with national governance. However, sources indicate that some of the DMK's allies are uneasy with the party's overt gestures of goodwill towards the prime minister. DMK supporters, on the other hand, argue that the state's approach demonstrates how divergent policy priorities can coexist with formal cooperation on administrative goals.advertisementSubscribe to India Today Magazine- EndsMust Watch
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