Tamil Nadu: Modi to launch subsidy two-wheeler scheme for women amidst alliance rumour

Amidst allegations by the opposition that Edappadi K Palaniswami led Tamil Nadu government is remote-controlled by the BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to visit the state today to launch the scheme for Rs. 25,000 subsidy for women to buy two-wheelers.

Modi's visit comes days after Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam confirmed speculation that the BJP's top leadership, particularly PM Modi, had a role to play in the merger of the AIADMK's two factions; one led by him and another by Chief Minister E Palaniswami.

Panneerselvam, or OPS as he is called, last week told his supporters that it was the nudge from PM Modi that led him to agree to the merger of the two factions created after J Jayalalithaa's death in December 2016.

"He (PM Modi) said that you (Panneerselvam) could join (merge the faction) to save the party and under the present circumstances, the two [factions] should merge to save the party," Panneerselvam had said.

According to reports, AIADMK Spokesperson C Ponnaiyan denied criticism that the ruling AIADMK has surrendered to the ruling BJP at the centre to escape from corruption allegations. "We need friendly ties with the centre and even our Amma had she been alive would have felt happy," he added.

According to AIADMK officials, a statue of Jayalalithaa will be unveiled at the party headquarters here, followed by the launch of Tamil daily `Nammadhu Amma`.

In the evening, the state government will launch the scooter subsidy scheme wherein the government will provide 50 per cent subsidy subject to a maximum of Rs 25,000 for the purchase of scooters by working women

The launch of the scheme - Amma Two-wheeler Scheme - has been timed to coincide with the birth anniversary of J Jayalalithaa who had first promised the 50 per cent subsidy scheme in the run-up to the 2016 assembly elections.