Will align with parties striving for graft-free govt: BJP

Speaking to reporters here, Pon Radhakrishnan said, “Tamil Nadu benefited a lot through Central government projects and Narendra Modi government has implemented several welfare schemes for the fishermen. No other leader has made the Sri Lankan government to look upon Indian fishermen on humanitarian grounds.”

Welcoming the suggestion of auditor S Gurumurthy on the alliance in Tamil Nadu for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the Union Minister called Gurumurthy a political genius and his suggestions should be taken into account and those parties should have alliance for the welfare of the nation as well as the state, he said.

Meanwhile, the Union Minister said that the BJP has not yet commenced the talks on poll alliance with any party in the state directly or indirectly. “The BJP will decide upon what is good for the nation at the time of elections. The BJP is the party which works against corruption and those parties which want to eradicate corruption can join us,” he stressed.  At the same time, it is the BJP to decide on the alliance and will lead the front in Tamil Nadu,” Radhakrishnan added.

He claimed that the DMK’s stand against the 10 per cent reservation for the poor other castes shows its cruel mind and said that it is evident that the DMK is againstthe poor.

Radhakrishnan also paid homage to the deceased fisherman Muniyasamy (69) at Tiruchy airport on Friday. He assured all the necessary measures for the release of three fishers in Sri Lankan custody.Muniyasamy and three fishermen from Ramanathapuram were reportedly chased by the Sri Lankan Navy while they were fishing near Palk Straits on January 12. The unexpected chase by the naval vessel capsized the fishing boat and he died by drowning. Radhakrishnan, who condemned the incident, said that Sri Lanka is answerable for it. He assured that the Centre will also take necessary steps for therelease of other fishermen from their custody.

Muniyasamy is survived bytwo daughters, Murugeswari and Shanmukhapriya.

His daughters came along with their husbands to receive his body at the airport.  Muniyasamy had lost his wife years ago.

The body was taken toChittarkottai in Ramanathapuram.