By The Hindu Bureau

Copyright thehindu

Member of Parliament representing Arakkonam constituency in Tamil Nadu and DMK leader S. Jagathrakshakan on Monday said the failure to obtain Statehood for Puducherry has affected the growth prospects of the Union Territory (UT).

Talking to reporters after inaugurating DMK’s membership drive, he said Puducherry lacked in industrial development as the local government was unable to take quick decisions because of its UT status.

“In the neighbouring Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is taking all measures for the development of the State. But in Puducherry, the AINRC-BJP government failed completely though the Prime Minister promised to make the Union Territory the BEST (Business, Education, Spiritual and Tourism hub). In reality, no development has taken place in Puducherry during the last four and a half years,“ he claimed.

The membership drive, he said, was conducted on the directions of Mr. Stalin, who is also the DMK president, to strengthen the party in the UT. On Monday, the drive was conducted in five places and the effort to include new members will go on for a month. Opposition leader and DMK convenor R. Siva, former Minister S.P. Sivakumar and party legislators attended the event.