Giving room to much speculation about future relationship between the ruling Congress and the All India N R Congress, Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy on Tuesday said there are “no permanent friends or foes in politics.”
The Chief Minister made the comment when reporters pointed out the new-found bonhomie between both the parties that was evident during the budget discussion on Monday in the Assembly.
“There are no permanent enemies and friends in politics. We have witnessed that in several States, including Maharashtra,” said the Chief Minister while talking to reporters at the press gallery before the commencement of the session.
Asked whether the party had entered into an understanding for the Lok Sabha polls, the Chief Minister said “You can have your own interpretation.”
Winding up the debate on the budget, AINRC chief and former Chief Minister N. Rangasamy highlighted the failures of the government. Often quoting DMK member R. Siva’s criticism of the budget, the Opposition leader said the government had failed to implement many schemes.
He went on to make his suggestions. But unlike in the past, the aggression was missing and the debate was more of a pleasant exchange of views.
The interesting part came when Chief Minister rose to give his reply. As he started speaking, Social Welfare M. Kandasamy asked the Chief Minister to wind up his reply fast as the former Chief Minister himself had not found any major fault with the government.
“We will all go to Delhi and seek Statehood as suggested by the Opposition leader and others,” the Social Welfare Minister said.
When AIADMK leader A. Anbalagan expressed surprise on the warmth in the relationship between the ruling party and the principal Opposition, Minister for Public Works A. Namassivayam was heard asking, “What bothers if we are on talking terms.”
The AINRC, a splinter group of the Congress, had of late been seen as an ally of Bharatiya Janata Party.
Mr. Rangasamy had met the BJP president Amit Shah in Puducherry and in New Delhi.