Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami embarked on a three-nation tour on Wednesday, in a bid to woo investors from those countries to invest in the state.
The chief minister, who will be travelling to the UK, US and Dubai during his two-week sojourn, hit out at M K Stalin for criticising his foreign trip and asked the DMK chief to clarify about his "frequent" foreign visits.
Palaniswami, the first state chief minister to travel abroad in decades, insisted his voyage was only meant to attract investments, and meet potential investors as part of it.
"This trip is to seek more investments for Tamil Nadu. I am visiting the US, UK and Dubai to meet investors to invite them to start new businesses in the state," he told reporters prior to leaving for London, his first stop, from here.
Responding to a query on some opposition parties criticising his foreign visit, he said "they always do so."
Training his guns against Stalin, the Leader of Opposition in the assembly, Palaniswami sought to know if the DMK chief had ever "clarified" on his "frequent" overseas trips.
"Mr Stalin frequently goes abroad...why does he go? He says it is for personal reason. What is the personal reason? What is the mystery behind him going to foreign countries often? He has never clarified through the media," Palaniswami said.
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"I am not going for any personal reasons...I am a farmer, have to strive for progress, bring in big industries, ensure jobs for (TN) youth and economic growth," he pointed out.
He further said many investors, apparently from foreign countries, had suggested to him during the Global Investors Meet (GIM) 2019 held here that he should travel abroad to attract more investments to the state.
He was visiting these countries based on their invitation, Palaniswami added.
During his foreign trip, Palaniswami is slated to visit London, New York, San Fransisco and Dubai among others and meet entrepreneurs and investors to invite them to set shop in Tamil Nadu.
The state government had earlier said that besides attracting investments, he will also study new technologies in various fields like Health and Renewable Energy, to implement them in Tamil Nadu.
The chief minister is scheduled to return on September 10.
Earlier, he was given a warm send-off by his senior party colleagues and functionaries.
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