CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswamy and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam laid the foundation stone for the Jayalalithaa Memorial at Marina Beach last week. The huge and magnificent model which resembles a phoenix, is displayed right next to Jaya's mentor Dr MG Ramachandran's memorial. While AIADMK celebrations began early at 6.30 am with a pooja, the party faced criticism from many. DMK working president MK Stalin, while addressing the media, said, “Those who indulge in corruption are building a memorial for someone who went to prison for corruption.”
Another member of the opposition party too slammed the ruling government by stating that the state government violated the constitution by performing a puja at a state event. “Religion and state functions should be kept away from each other. We are a secular, democratic country and this violates the Constitution of the land. This shows the AIADMK is closely following the BJP.” To make matters worse, Rs 50.80 Crores of this year's state budget has been allotted towards the construction of the Amma Memorial on the shores of Marina. People on the internet began to question the need for spending so much on a memorial.
Many even asked why such a big amount for a memorial when students who had to go out of Tamil Nadu with their guardian to appear for NEET were only given Rs 1000. Responding to the flak, AIADMK MP Navneetakrishnan said, “A person like Amma has contributed a lot and set an example. Even this amount will not be enough. As far as students of NEET are concerned, the government has assured them support and we will reimburse expenses if it is genuine.”
