NEW DELHI: Former Tamil Nadu BJP president criticised chief minister and TVK leader C Joseph Vijay’s recent visit to London to attract investments, arguing that the state government should instead focus on encouraging local industries to expand and invest.“Chief Minister Mr. Vijay has returned from London after attracting investments. The growth of the United Kingdom is only 1%. The investments there are being made by our Indian companies, including Mahindra,” he said.He added, “Therefore, instead of the Chief Minister traveling abroad, incentives should be provided to our industrial companies in cities including Coimbatore and Madurai, and they should be encouraged to make investments.”The remarks come as DMK president MK Stalin also criticised Vijay’s recent London visit, questioning what investments the Chief Minister had secured for Tamil Nadu during the trip.Addressing the annual Mupperum Vizha at Kalaignar Arangam at the DMK headquarters, Stalin said, “CM Sir, why did you go to London? What investments have you brought to Tamil Nadu? Why do you have to go to London and sign agreements with an Indian company?”Taking an apparent swipe at Vijay, Stalin added, “He had earlier stated that he would no longer act in films, but he continues to perform before the public. Earlier there was local shooting; now there is foreign shooting.”Vijay concluded his six-day official visit to the United Kingdom last week, securing investment commitments worth Rs 15,300 crore that are expected to generate more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs in Tamil Nadu.
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The visit is part of the state’s strategic roadmap to transform Tamil Nadu into a USD 1.5 trillion economy by 2036 through transparent and efficient governance, according to an official release.During his visit, CM Vijay met Indian High Commissioner to the UK Kumaran Periasamy on September 12 to discuss trade opportunities arising from the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).On September 14, MoUs and Letters of Intent were formalised across auto components, R&D, renewable energy, power grid equipment and Global Capability Centres (GCCs).
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