Unwilling to let BJP’s prime
ministerial candidate Narendra Modi appropriate the mantle of a growth crusader,
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa pitched in, saying the state had
received higher incremental investments under her governance, even more than Gujarat .
Addressing a gathering of industrialists after
unveiling new industrial, auto and biotech policies, she said, “According to
CMIE (Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy), incremental investment attracted
by Tamil Nadu between June 2011 and January 2014 is 1,46,800 crore. Tamil Nadu
has achieved 18.2% growth in investments, higher than states like Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka.”
The government showcased
agreements with 16 businesses keen to establish operations in the state. The
memoranda of understanding signed at the event signify commitments worth 5,081
crore and may help shore up the sagging image of TN as an investment
destination.
Wanting to be seen as a
serious contender on the national scene, and not a regional satrap, Jayalalithaa
said, “I have a vision for India in which Tamil Nadu will play a key role — a
vision of a resurgent India, a nation with an inclusive society and open
markets, a nation of enterprise and creativity driven by knowledge and shaped
by family values, a nation of growth with equity, a nation with peace, stability
and development, a modern, secular and prosperous India. I want to assure you
all that this day is not far.”
The audience had a galaxy of
businessmen, including Venu Srinivasan of TVS, Rafeeque Ahmed of Farida Group, Kris
Gopalakrishnan of Infosys, Ficci president Sidharth Birla and Rana Kapoor of
Yes Bank.
The CM’s pitch to investors
was the first in more than a year. The last time she reached out to corporate India
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