In chance meet at Delhi airport, CM urges FM to release arrears

CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at the Delhi airport before leaving for Chennai, on Friday.

Sources said during the meeting, Stalin was said to have raised issues concerning the state and the arrears from the Central government.

Chief Minister Stalin left for the National capital on Friday morning where he personally met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapathi Bhavan and invited her to inaugurate the 1,000-bed multi-super specialty hospital in Chennai’s Guindy on June 5.

He also invited her to take part in the former CM M Karunanidhi’sbirth centenary celebrations to be held on the same day.

None can threaten DMK: Udhayanidhi

Meanwhile, attempting to put up a brave face, state Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin told reporters here that no one could intimidate the DMK. When reporters sought his response to the I-T raids, he tersely said, “No one can threaten the DMK. Only you (media) people are being intimidated. You ask me so many questions. Did you care to ask the person who is schooling you and refusing to take your questions.”

Casually dismissing queries related to the audio tapes attributed to his cabinet colleague Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, Udhayanidhi wondered, “Which audio tape? There were many audio tapes related to them (BJP). Did you care to ask them?”

(With inputs from Bureau)