Reports of AIADMK being snubbed at key meet mischievous, says Jayakumar

Addressing newspersons here, Jayakumar said, “The ‘one nation-one election’ proposal is a welcome initiative but there are a few issues that need to be addressed in it. We have demanded the Centre to issue a draft in this regard.”

He claimed media reports about the AIADMK being snubbed at the meeting were aimed at defaming the ruling party. “Even DMK’s T R Baalu was stationed in Delhi to attend the meeting. However, only the party leaders were invited. This should not be treated as a setback for the AIADMK,” he said.

Stating that the party had designated Law Minister C Ve Shanmugham to attend the meeting and express its views, Jayakumar said, “However, we were told in the last minute that the invitation (which was given only to party leaders) cannot be transferred. The same yardstick was also applied to other political parties.”

Welcoming the Centre’s proposal, the minister said there were legal hurdles in holding polls to both Lok Sabha and Assemblies simultaneously, adding that there was a need to amend the constitution.

Jayakumar, who left to the national capital to attend the 35th GST council meeting, said the IGST arrears due for TN has escalated to Rs 5,000 crore, while the GST compensation estimate had also touched Rs 1,000 crore.

“We will appeal the Centre seeking immediate release of the funds due for the State,” he said, adding that Tamil Nadu would seek GST exemption and tax reduction for 69 items and 9 services.