Thursday, April 20 2006 16:08 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Coimbatore: "Tamil Nadu election should be a referendum on the 'good performance' of the 13 Union ministers from the State, as against the state government, which stood as a stumbling block before the various good Central schemes", Union minister Dayanidhi Maran said today (Apr 20, 2006).

"I want the polls to be a referendum on the achievements of the ministers from Tamil Nadu, who were competing with each other for the welfare of the state," Maran told reporters here.

Saying that he wanted a government in Tamil Nadu, which cooperated with the Centre in implementing its schemes, Maran blamed the present State government for 'neglecting or Failing' to implement various Central schemes.

Reacting to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's recent announcement of five lakh jobs in IT sector, he accused her of totally neglecting the Rs.14,000 crore semi-conductor project, which would have given nearly 15 lakh job opportunities. The project was grabbed by the Andhra Pradesh government, he said.

"When some chief ministers were functioning as salesmen of their respective states, Tamil Nadu chief minister was not only avoiding various good projects, but also not cooperating with the Centre", Maran alleged.

On the prospects of DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance, Maran claimed there was a strong wave in its favour across the state, particularly to see DMK chief, M Karunanidhi installed as chief minister again.