89 pc land owners back Salem corridor, says CM

Speaking to reporters here, Palaniswami said the idea is not to cause inconvenience to anyone.

“It is the duty of the government to fulfill the needs of the people. Many people desire the project, while some are against it. On the whole, 89 per cent of people did not oppose land acquisition proceedings for the project. It was only 11 per cent who opposed the expressway,” he said.

The Madras High Court had on Friday reserved its orders on a batch of writ petitions, challenging land acquisition proceedings for the proposed eight-lane Salem-Chennai expressway project. It was opposed by sections of farmers, and the public as well.

Addressing about 1,000 people, who joined the ruling AIADMK in his presence from various parties including the DMK on December 14, the Chief Minister had said he exemplified the fact that even an ordinary party worker could occupy top positions in the AIADMK.

Palaniswami besides being the co-coordinator of the AIADMK is also the headquarters secretary and Salem rural district secretary.

Noting that the AIADMK was a cadre centric party, the Palaniswami said he too began his career in the party as a modest branch secretary of Siluvampalayam in the district and went on to occupy the post of Chief Minister in the government.