AIADMK General Secretary V K Sasikala today inaugurated a conclave of a well-known media group here that is to be addressed by Chief Ministers from southern states during the course of the two day event.
Sharing the dais with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, Sasikala in her first major media event since her elevation, lit the lamp to mark its formal inauguration.
She, however, did not make any formal speech.
Sasikala, appointed to the party's top post on December 29 following the demise of her predecessor J Jayalalithaa, was also seen turning emotional when a photo tribute was paid to the late Chief Minister, with whom the AIADMK leader shared a 33-year friendship.
Tears rolled out of the 62-year-old party chief as the photo tribute was beamed on a giant screen in the hall.
Sasikala, who has been described by Jayalalithaa as her "Udanpirava sagothari" (sister but not of blood relation), was seen wiping her eyes as the short presentation ended.
Sasikala then left due to her other commitments while Panneerselvam stayed back.
She during a brief talk with an English news channel said that late Chief Minister had lots of affection for the media and would have participated in this event.
Paneerselvam told the channel that India Today magazine was objective in its news reports.
Earlier addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister, read out a speech in English where he said the state attracts the third largest FDI in the country, amid thunderous applause.
He lauded Jayalalithaa's contribution to the development of Tamil Nadu and said her vision will be taken forward.
Earlier, Sasikala shared the dais with Panneerselvam and Aroon Purie, Chairman & Editor-in-Chief of the India Today Group, which is jointly organising the event with Puthiya Thalaimurai Tamil channel.
The Chief Ministers from southern states, besides leading film star Kamal Haasan, are expected to address the conclave, which ends tomorrow.
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In his address, Panneerselvam claimed that Tamil Nadu has registered the strongest and most consistent economic growth among all states and due to the efforts of Jayalalithaa, the state is second in the country in terms of economic prosperity.
Tamil Nadu has a large number of factories and close to two million people are employed in the industries. The state also has a very diversified industrial base, he said.
It is leading in a number of industries like textiles, leather, automobiles and auto components, heavy and light engineering, electronics manufacture, Information Technology and Information Technology enabled services, and healthcare, Panneerselvam claimed.
He recalled that Jayalalithaa as the Chief Minister had launched the ambitious 'Vision 2023' development project in 2012 and said, "This remains our blue print for action."
"The goal is to ensure that Tamil Nadu's per capita income reaches that of countries of upper middle income group by 2023. People must have access to infrastructure and services comparable to the best available anywhere in the world," the Chief Minister said.
"Tamil Nadu will become the most attractive investment destination in India and one of the three most attractive in Asia. An investment of Rs 15 lakh crore in infrastructure is planned," he said.
Implementation of more than 100 of the 217 projects and programmes identified under the Vision Tamil Nadu 2023 has already commenced, Panneerselvam said.
"Our efforts will be to not only retain Tamil Nadu's lead in the sectors that it is strong in, but also to make a breakthrough in emerging and sunrise sectors," he said.
Panneerselvam said Jayalalithaa was a strong votary of preserving the autonomy of states.
"State governments must be provided the necessary legislative, administrative and fiscal space to function effectively to fulfil the aspirations of the people. Strong performing states are essential for a strong Union," he said.
