Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai
Chennai, Jan 26: Tamil Nadu chief minister M.K. Stalin on Monday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led NDA, accusing the so-called “double-engine government” of failing in its most basic duty of protecting citizens, pointing to the prolonged violence in Manipur.
Addressing the Vellam Tamil Women’s Delta Zone Conference organised by the DMK Women’s Wing at Chengipatti in Thanjavur district, Stalin said official figures show that at least 260 people have lost their lives since unrest erupted in Manipur in May 2023.
“The Centre and Manipur are governed by the same double-engine administration. Yet, that engine has clearly broken down when it comes to safeguarding human lives. The Prime Minister appears to have forgotten this tragedy altogether,” he said.
The massive conference saw the participation of nearly 1.25 lakh DMK volunteers from 15 districts across the Cauvery delta region. Delivering the keynote address, Stalin described Thanjavur as a historic cradle of the Dravidian movement and reaffirmed the ideology’s commitment to social justice.
He said the Dravidian movement has never been limited to opposing caste hierarchies alone, but has consistently worked to expand social equality. Recalling the struggles of the past, Stalin said social reformer Periyar fought for the dignity and rights of women and oppressed communities at a time when both were subjected to deep discrimination.
Tracing key milestones, he noted that women gained voting rights during the Justice Party era, the Self-Respect Marriage Act was introduced under C.N. Annadurai, and equal inheritance rights for women were secured during the tenure of M. Karunanidhi.
Shifting focus to national politics, Stalin accused Prime Minister Modi of spreading misleading narratives during his recent visit to Tamil Nadu. He said he had raised several questions ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit, but instead of responding, Modi chose to repeat familiar claims and move on.
“He travels across the world and visits India mostly during election periods. When he came to Tamil Nadu, he avoided real issues and chose political rhetoric instead,” Stalin remarked.
The Chief Minister also accused the Prime Minister of ignoring crimes against women in BJP-ruled states while attempting to criticise Tamil Nadu. “Standing here before thousands of women, I say this with confidence — Tamil Nadu is the safest state for women in India,” he asserted.
Stalin further referred to reports on drug trafficking allegedly linked to BJP-ruled states such as Manipur and Uttar Pradesh, questioning whether the Prime Minister had taken note of them.
Taking a dig at the revival of the NDA alliance, he mocked its constituents for being entangled in cases investigated by central agencies, sarcastically asking whether the “washing machine” of probes would clean everyone involved.
Concluding his address, Stalin said the upcoming election should not be seen as a contest between the NDA and the Secular Progressive Alliance, but rather as a battle between the NDA and Tamil Nadu itself. “I have complete faith in the people of Tamil Nadu,” he said, expressing confidence in their judgment.