The ongoing feud between non-BJP run states and Constitutional heads, the Governors, is intensifying as states unite in verbal and legal battles. In a recent development, Tamil Nadu’s DMK government is accused by State BJP President K Annamalai of attempting to mislead through its address and portraying falsehoods as achievements. The conflict reflects the broader dissatisfaction with the perceived interference of Governors in state affairs, leading to prolonged delays in bill approvals.
Tensions between the Dravidian Model government and the Governor of Tamil Nadu reached a boiling point as the Governor, in a dramatic turn of events, refused to deliver the speech prepared by the state government in the Legislative Assembly. The rift escalated when the Governor, citing the absence of the national anthem before and after his address, abruptly walked out of the assembly session.
According to a statement released by the Raj Bhavan, the Governor had repeatedly requested the inclusion of the national anthem in the protocol, a gesture he deemed essential for the dignity of the occasion. However, his request went unheeded, prompting his departure from the assembly hall. The Raj Bhavan further criticized the content of the draft address, alleging it contained misleading claims and partisan political views far from the truth.
In response, the DMK government accused the Governor of disrespecting the customary address and abruptly leaving the session midway. The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, echoing the sentiments of the government, criticised the Governor’s actions and emphasised the need for mutual respect and understanding between the two offices.
However, tensions escalated further when the Speaker made controversial remarks linking the Governor to historical figures associated with violence against freedom fighters. Although these remarks were later expunged from the records, the Governor’s office quoted them, intensifying the confrontation between the two sides.
Amidst the heated exchange, the Speaker also highlighted the state’s grievances regarding inadequate financial assistance from the central government during times of crisis, such as the recent floods. He called for the release of funds from the PM CARES Fund, emphasising the urgency of addressing the state’s needs.
In a press briefing today, Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K Annamalai criticised the DMK government, led by Chief Minister MK Stalin, for allegedly including falsehoods in the Governor’s address. Annamalai highlighted what he termed as a stark contrast between Stalin’s past actions as the leader of the opposition and his current expectations from the Governor’s address.
Annamalai pointed out that in 2018, Stalin had compared the Governor’s address during the AIADMK rule to “Muscoth Halwa,” claiming it selectively omitted critical issues. In 2019, Stalin, as the opposition leader, acknowledged the Governor reading out the failures of the AIADMK government. In 2020, the DMK staged a walkout during the Governor’s day session, expressing dissatisfaction with the address prepared by the ruling party.
The BJP Chief accused the DMK government of irony, as Stalin, after assuming power, expected the Governor to read a compilation of what Annamalai referred to as “lies.” He emphasised the need to bring these contradictions to the public’s attention.
Annamalai’s statements came in response to the DMK government’s address, where they categorically stated their commitment to protecting communal harmony in the state. The government pledged support for minorities and Sri Lankan Tamil brethren, firmly opposing the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and vowing to take necessary measures in this regard.
K Annamalai criticised the content of the address, asserting that the government’s commitment to unity in diversity was questionable. He called on the public to scrutinise the discrepancies between the DMK’s past actions and current expectations from the Governor’s address.
Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K Annamalai, in a press conference, challenged the DMK government’s claims of attracting significant investments during the Global Investors Meet (GIM). Responding to the government’s address, Annamalai emphasised that while the government touted attracting investments of 6.60 lakh crore, states like Uttar Pradesh drew Rs. 33 lakh crores, Gujarat Rs. 26 lakh crores, and Karnataka Rs. 10 lakh crores. He called attention to the industrial issues faced by investors in the state, suggesting that the government has not provided adequate solutions.
Annamalai highlighted the impact of increased power consumption fees and demand charges, coupled with the departure of North Indian migrant labourers, contributing to a drastic decline in investments. He specifically mentioned the silence surrounding a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with a footwear manufacturing company in Ulundurpet SIPCOT industrial park for a Rs. 2000 crore investment.
The BJP Chief criticised the DMK government’s oversight of mentioning the new Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus (KCBT) and the challenges faced by passengers. He expressed disappointment in the Governor’s address for not acknowledging this achievement.
In a sarcastic tone, Annamalai questioned the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Assembly, M Appavu’s language and insinuated a potential threat to the TN Governor. He suggested that instead of seeking funds from PM CARES, the Speaker should have approached the DMK first family, accusing them of looting several crores.
Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K Annamalai criticized the DMK government’s handling of Cyclone Michaung, challenging the state’s claims of efficient relief efforts. The government asserted that its meticulous planning and management of the Chembarambakkam reservoir minimized loss of lives and property during the 44-hour continuous rainfall in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, and Kancheepuram.
Contrary to the government’s narrative, Annamalai referred to the aftermath of the cyclone, stating that Singara Chennai had turned into sunken Chennai. He accused the government of peddling lies and emphasized the significant impact of the rainfall on lakhs of people, leading to the loss of clothing, utensils, and livelihoods. Annamalai asserted that the government should have expressed regret and apologized to the public for its alleged dishonesty.
He pointed out conflicting statements from Minister KN Nehru, who initially claimed 98 percent completion of stormwater drainage works before the rains but later revised it to only 42 percent after the flooding. Annamalai accused the government of inconsistency and questioned its credibility. He highlighted the contradiction between the government’s claim of completing 95 percent of drainage works by September 2022 and the actual flooding that occurred.
Annamalai also criticised Chief Minister Stalin for choosing to attend the I.N.D.I.Alliance meet instead of visiting the affected areas during the crisis. He suggested that the priorities of the government were misplaced, and the leadership failed to address the immediate needs of the people.
Annamalai challenged the government’s claim that the termination of the GST compensation regime resulted in a revenue shortfall of approximately Rs 20,000 crore per annum.
Refuting the government’s narrative, Annamalai presented data indicating that the state’s tax revenue had seen varying growth percentages since the introduction of GST in 2017-18. He pointed out that between 2017 and 2022, Tamil Nadu received a total compensation of Rs 27,959 crores, with an additional Rs 14,336 crores provided by the Modi government to address pandemic-related losses. Annamalai questioned how the government could justify a loss of Rs 20,000 crore due to GST implementation in a single year, urging the state government to explain this apparent discrepancy.
Annamalai also contested the government’s assertion of maintaining law and order and communal harmony effectively. He called on Chief Minister Stalin and ministers to step out of their residences and witness the ground reality in the state, challenging the claim of a zero-tolerance approach towards crime. Annamalai suggested that the government’s statements did not align with the actual situation on the ground and called for a more realistic assessment.
The opposition leader emphasised the importance of transparency and accuracy in the information presented by the government in the Governor’s address. He urged the government to refrain from including what he termed as “lies” and to provide a factual account of the state’s financial status and law enforcement efforts.
Tamil Nadu BJP chief Annamalai accused the ruling party of downplaying the recent Coimbatore car bomb explosion, dismissing it as an LPG cylinder blast. Annamalai criticised the government’s response, asserting that this approach indicated a lack of concern for the law and order situation in the state.
Annamalai further alleged that, since the DMK came to power, Tamil Nadu has become a hub for the trade of narcotics, particularly Ganja. He criticised Chief Minister MK Stalin and his ministers for allegedly watching behind the scenes while Kallakurichi faced violence. Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s reported statement about the destruction of Sanatana Dharma also drew criticism from Annamalai, questioning the government’s commitment to communal harmony.
Addressing the issue of the government’s poll promises, Annamalai accused the DMK of failing to fulfill its commitments. He highlighted the disparity between the government’s claims of implementing promises and the ground reality. The distribution of dolls to women heads of households, a supposed election promise, was cited as an example where nearly 1.2 crore ration cardholders were allegedly excluded.
Annamalai questioned the government’s claim of implementing the “Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam” to provide Rs. 1,000 per month directly to the bank accounts of over 1.15 crore women. He asserted that the government’s claims did not align with the actual implementation, and accused them of making false statements in public forums.
Regarding the “Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Ninaivu Pudhumai Penn Thittam,” aimed at providing a monthly cash assistance of Rs. 1000 to students pursuing higher education who completed their studies in government schools, Annamalai alleged that the government had not fulfilled its promises. He criticized the discontinuation of the gold to make Mangalsutra scheme and the introduction of the Pudhumai Penn scheme, emphasizing that it fell short of the promised beneficiaries.
Annamalai also discussed the CM morning breakfast scheme, claiming that the DMK government received Rs 1,146 crores under the scheme but failed to properly implement it. He pointed out that several states, in collaboration with NGOs, had successfully implemented the morning breakfast scheme for school students in the past, suggesting that the Tamil Nadu CM needed to understand this approach.
According to Annamalai, the central government has been providing rice to NGOs in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra for one-time meals and additional expenses. He debunked the government’s claim of bringing out the TN Development Action Plan for SCs and STs bills in the current session, asserting that the state had not spent nearly Rs.10,000 crores for SC communities last year.
The BJP leader also challenged the DMK government’s promise to seek Prime Minister Modi’s intervention for a caste census along with the national decadal census. Annamalai pointed out that the Justice Gulasekaran panel, formed to address this issue, was denied an extension by the DMK government to complete its task.
Annamalai questioned the credibility of the “Innuyir Kappom-Nammai Kaakkum 48 Thittam,” a scheme purportedly providing free and assured emergency treatment in the critical period of the first 48 hours after an accident. He noted that a similar scheme, the “Scheme for Good Samaritan” by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, already grants awards to individuals who save lives in fatal accidents.
On the issue of financial assistance to women Self Help Groups, Annamalai argued that the DMK government was merely taking credit for the center’s pioneering schemes for farmers. He raised concerns about the government’s decision to slap the Goondas act on farmers and its efforts to release fishermen detained by the Sri Lankan navy.
Announcing his displeasure, Annamalai questioned how the government expected the governor to read out lies and false assurances in the assembly address. The BJP leader’s remarks indicate the intensifying political rhetoric and opposition scrutiny against the DMK government’s policies and claims.
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