"Never even dreamt of reaching the top post": Palaniswami

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami has said he never "even dreamt" of reaching the top post and credited his "gradual" growth in politics to his "loyalty" to the late CM J Jayalalithaa.

He was addressing members of Tamil diaspora in New York on Tuesday after launching a scheme to attract investments from Tamils living abroad.

"As far as I am concerned, I have come up one step in politics. I had never even dreamt of becoming chief minister. Still, (I have) got an opportunity," he said.

The text of Palaniswami's address was released by the state government here.

"I gradually grew because of the loyalty to Amma (Jayalalithaa)," he added.

Palaniswami reached the top post in 2017 in the face of a revolt by then Chief Minister O Panneerselvam against desposed leader V K Sasikala, after she was made leader of the AIADMK legislature to succeed Jayalalithaa to lead the state.

Sasikala was Jayalalithaa's close aide.

The AIADMK supremo died in December 2016 following prolonged hospitalisation.

Prior to becoming CM, Palaniswami was a senior Minister in the Jayalalithaa-led cabinet, holding among others, the Highways portfolio.

Showcasing his state as an investor-friendly destination, Palaniswami assured his government will give a "grand welcome" to Tamils living abroad intending to invest in Tamil Nadu.

He assured business-friendly steps for the diaspora Tamils to invest in the state, including single window clearance system, peaceful atmosphere, good infrastructure and uninterrupted power supply.

Recalling the Global Investors Meet (GIM 2019) held here in January, Palasniswami said it had attracted investment commitments worth Rs three lakh crore, adding 220 firms have "started the investments."