Annamalai, former president of the Bharatiya Janata Party Tamil Nadu, criticized the recent trip of the Chief Minister and TVK leader, T. Joseph Vijay, to London. He argued that the state government should focus more on stimulating growth and investment in local industries.
Annamalai noted that after returning from London, where investments were attracted, growth in the United Kingdom is only 1%, and these investments are being made by Indian companies, including Mahindra. Therefore, instead of the chief minister traveling abroad, incentives should be provided to industrial enterprises in cities like Coimbatore and Madurai, encouraging them to invest.
These remarks came amid criticism from DMK president MK Stalin, who also questioned what specific investments the chief minister secured for Tamil Nadu during his visit to London. Speaking at the annual Muppuram Vizha at the DMK headquarters, Stalin asked: 'Mr. Chief Minister, why did you go to London? What investments did you bring to Tamil Nadu? Why do you need to go to London and sign agreements with an Indian company?'
Expressing clear criticism towards Vijay, Stalin added that he had previously stated he would cease acting but continues to perform in front of the public, noting a shift from local to foreign filming.
Vijay concluded his six-day official trip to the United Kingdom last week, securing investment commitments worth 15,300 crore rupees, which are expected to create over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs in Tamil Nadu. This visit is part of the state's strategic plan to transform Tamil Nadu into a $1.5 trillion economy by 2036 through transparent and efficient governance.
During his visit, CM Vijay met with the Indian High Commissioner in Britain, Kumaran Periasamy, on September 12th to discuss trade opportunities arising from the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between India and the UK (CETA). On September 14th, memorandums of understanding and letters of intent were signed in the fields of auto components, research and development, renewable energy, power grid equipment, and global centers of competence (GCC).

