Centre won't interfere in TN govt's affairs

Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu has said the absence of Jayalalithaa in the State’s political landscape offers an opportunity to the BJP.

Speaking to reporters in Chennai, he however said the central government will not interfere in the affairs of Tamil Nadu government.

“Earlier, Madam, with her towering personality and influence, was persuasive. And, she was taking away the votes of some of our sympathisers also. Because, between the DMK and the AIADMK, people use to think the AIADMK is better. Because the AIADMK is nationalist, etc. Earlier, some BJP sympathisers used to vote for the AIADMK. Now, such a situation is not there," he said.

Days after a Madras High Court judge indicated that he may order exhumation of Jayalalithaa's body, Venkaiah Naidu said he was not in favour of it.

"I am not in favour of it personally. I hold her (Jayalalithaa) in high esteem. Exhuming the body somehow does not go down well with me," the Union Urban Development Minister said in reply to a question.

Hailing the move of banks to cut interest rates, Naidu said it would benefit the common man. “It is very clear that the benefits of the (high-value) note withdrawal have begun to flow to the people,” he added.