Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister P. Viswanathan said the State would soon foster a cordial relationship with the Governor to secure necessary support from the Central Government for its educational institutions.

Speaking to press here on Monday, the Minister said they would hold discussions with the Governor in the right way to get what was due for Tamil Nadu. Mr. Viswanathan said he believed that he had the competence to manage the portfolio effectively and efficiently.

Answering a question on the government’s stand on NEET for which Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay had written a letter to the Union Government, Mr. Vishwanathan said they were assertive on their opposition to NEET.

Stating that they were adhering to Rahul Gandhi’s principles, he pointed out that the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha had already demanded an exemption for Tamil Nadu from the examination.

When asked about the Congress party’s stance on the Mekedatu issue, with specific reference to Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s push to build the dam, he said, “The Tamil Nadu Congress is completely opposed to it. We demand that the move for the construction of the dam be halted immediately.”

Expressing happiness over returning to Melur constituency as a Minister after 67 years, he noted that late Congress leader P. Kakkan was the last to assume a ministerial position while representing the constituency back in 1957.

“I dedicate my victory and my position to the great Congress leader,” he said.