NDA Government taking steps to solve fishermen issue: BJP leader L Ganesan

PUDUKOTTAI (TAMIL NADU): The Centre was taking "serious steps" to ensure that Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen netted in their traditional areas, senior BJP leader L Ganesan said today.

The NDA Government was firm on ensuring that the fishermen carried on fishing in the Palk Strait and other locations as was the practice about 30 years ago, he told reporters here.

Denying reports that the Centre planned to dissolve self-help groups, he said, "Some Political parties which were distributing money during the elections are making such false propaganda."

Replying to a question on BJP's election manifesto which assured common civil code and building Ram temple in Ayodhya, he said the priority of the government "now is to create Job opportunities; clean India and eradicate corruption."

He asserted that the BJP would lead an alliance in the 2016 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu. "Some parties may go out...some may come in...But it will be BJP-led alliance," he said.

On the conversion controversy, Ganesan said as BJP's opponents were unable to level any other charge, they were indulging in false propaganda about conversions.

He said even late Chief Minister M G Ramachandran had sought suggestions to stop conversions and bring back the converts to their mother religion after the Mandaikaadu riots in Kanyakumari district 30 years ago.