High Tense political drama: Stalin invites arch rival Jayalalithaa to attend a government function!

M K Stalin , Tamil Nadu's Deputy Chief Minister and the son of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has invited his political rival, former Chief Minister and the main Opposition Party leader Ms J Jayalalithaa, for the launch of the DMK government's ambitious "Kalaignar Housing Scheme to construct 21 lakhs of concrete houses for the poor.

Even though Jayalalithaa has criticized the scheme and lambasted the government in the assembly, and said the scheme wont' take off due to lack of funds, while she was addressing on the debate, thanking the governor’s address in the house.

Stalin's invitation to Jayalalithaa is a rare political gesture in the Tamil Nadu political arena.

"It is not an unusual gesture. We always adhere to democratic principles and don't ignore the Opposition parties. Since she holds the post of the Leader of the recognized opposition party, I have written to her inviting her for the inauguration of the 'Kalaignar Housing Scheme', which would be one of the major schemes to be implemented by our government", Stalin told to an English Daily as exclusive.

In a state where rival leaders seldom even greet each other, such gestures are rare. But in the past, Stalin is known to have extended similar courtesy in 2001. He along with DMK general secretary K Anbazhagan, attended the swearing-in ceremony of Jayalalithaa when her party returned to power.

When the tsunami struck the state in 2004, Stalin, who was an opposition MLA, met Jayalalithaa, who was then the chief minister, at Fort St George to hand over a cheque on his party's behalf for the relief fund.

Stalin, who holds the rural development portfolio and is entrusted with the job of executing the mega project, has written letters to all parties represented in the Assembly.

From Jayalalithaa to actor Vijayakanth (Viruthachalam MLA, heading a political party Desiya Munnetra Dravidar Kazhagam ), I have written letters to all of them inviting them for the function, Stalin said in that interview.

- Asian Tribune -