Chennai, May 25 (UNI) AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of the Opposition

in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Edappadi K Palaniswami on Sunday claimed that

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has attended the Niti Aayog meet in New Delhi waving

the White flag 'out of fear' following the recent raids at the state-owned TASMAC

during which the ED had unearthed scam to the tune of Rs 1,000 crores.

Talking to reporters at the Coimbatore airport, he said Mr Stalin boycotted the

Niti Aayog meet for the last three years, but participated in it this time when it

was held on Saturday.

Attending this time after skipping it for three years could only be construed that

Mr Stalin had taken part in the meeting 'out of fear' in the wake of the recent ED

raids.

"There is a problem now and it needs to be resolved", he said, on Mr Stalin's

attendance at the Niti Aayog meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Mr Palaniswami said had Mr Stalin attended the meetings in the last three years,

which he had boycotted citing several reasons including neglect of the State by

the Union Government, Tamil Nadu would have got its due share of Central funds,

more new schemes and projects.

Recalling that Mr. Stalin when he was the Opposition leader released black balloons

during Mr Modi's visit to the State, the AIADMK leader said however, after becoming

the Chief Minister, he waves white flag when the Prime Minister comes to Tamil Nadu.

He also alleged that the law and order in the state had deteriorated and there was no

safety for women and children.

It may be noted Mr Stalin, responding to Mr Palaniswami's allegations attributing

motives to his Delhi visit to wave the white flag after skipping it earlier, said there

is no white flag or a saffron flag with him as the one he (EPS) has with him.

UNI GV 1720