MoS Pon Radhakrishnan on Friday praised Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa’s response on the controversial issue of MK Stalin’s seating arrangement during her swearing-in ceremony, reported Thanthi TV.

Inaugurating an exhibition highlighting the achievements of the BJP government at Rajakamangalam, Radhakrishnan said, “I welcome Jayalalithaa’s approach to the seating-issue. The statement released by her assuring that had she known MK Stalin would be present at the event, she would have made sure that he was provided a front seat signals positive times ahead in Tamil Nadu politics.”

He also added that he welcomed the “greeting gesture” made by both the leaders during the assembly proceedings.

“In a rare first, both Jayalalithaa and Stalin smiled and greeted each other. This is a friendship that should go beyond politics, as it would only ensure betterment of the State when the ruling and opposition parties cooperate with each other,” added the minister.

Hours after the conclusion of the swearing-in ceremony, DMK chief M Karunanidhi, in a statement said that the AIADMK supremo insulted the party by making Stalin sit in one of the back rows. 

The MoS also announced that the central government has granted permission for the setting up of Colachel International Seaport, and that operations for the same will begin soon.