T.R. Baalu

CHENNAI: Differences among partners in a coalition government contribute to the emergence of fresh ideas and make the coalition healthy, Union Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T. R. Baalu has said.

They do not deter development in any sector. He claimed that Union Ministers from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam were in the forefront, fulfilling promises made in the Common Minimum Programme.

Talking about his Ministry, he quoted statistics on the development of minor ports across the country, the speedy work on the golden quadrilateral and special projects such as the Sethusamudram. The Union Cabinet functioned as a team to achieve the vision of the leaders of the coalition.

Talking to The Hindu , he said most projects in his Ministry were being executed ahead of schedule. Mr. Baalu hoped to open part of the Sethusamudram canal at least six months ahead of schedule. This would not have been possible without the cooperation of the UPA partners.

"It is wrong to say that the partners are fighting with each other on Neyveli Lignite Corporation issue or because of the problems at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. We work as a team."

NLC divestment

On the NLC disinvestment issue, he said though the DMK Ministers were not present at the meeting that decided on it, a Cabinet decision was binding on all Ministers. Once the decision was made public, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi opposed it since it was a violation of the CMP. The DMK had opposed privatisation of the Salem Steel plant when A.B.Vajpayee was Prime Minister.

AIIMS issue

On the AIIMS issue, Mr. Baalu said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh "rightly backed" his Cabinet colleague. "The issue here is not the professional and surgical competence of the eminent Venugopal, but his perceived role as administrator of an institute of national excellence."

The DMK had consistently strived to be a "reliable ally" and was commended for its support by many leaders, including former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, he said.

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