After staying away from attending crucial NITI Aayog meetings citing various reasons, including the Centre’s alleged negligence of Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister M. K. Stalin has now decided to attend the NITI Aayog meeting in Delhi on May 24. This decision has drawn criticism from the BJP and AIADMK, who allege that he is going merely to “show the white flag” following recent ED raids on his son, during which credible evidence was reportedly seized. Friends of Udhayanidhi Stalin have allegedly fled abroad soon after the ED teams arrived at their doorsteps.
It is pertinent to note that Stalin will be attending the NITI Aayog meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Modi, for the first time since assuming office in 2021. Given the ongoing standoff—Stalin’s continuous political fight with the Central government on several issues—the possibility of a one-on-one meeting with Modi or any other Union ministers appears remote. In 2021, the meeting was held via video conference due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in the years that followed, Stalin boycotted the meetings.
In a statement on May 21, M. K. Stalin said, “I am going to Delhi to secure the State’s rights. I am firm in my principles and will fight to secure the funds due to Tamil Nadu from the Centre. The State Government has filed a petition in the Apex Court to secure Tamil Nadu’s rights and challenge the Centre’s refusal to release Rs 2,152 crores due under the SSA scheme for the school education sector, as Tamil Nadu rejected NEP 2020. NEP paves the way for the implementation of the three-language formula and the imposition of Hindi and Sanskrit, contrary to the State Government’s long-standing two-language policy.”
Taking a dig at AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, for attributing motives to his Delhi visit, Stalin said he would remain ideologically firm and fight for the State’s rights. Stalin remarked, “I will speak up for Tamil Nadu at the NITI Aayog meeting on May 24. Why does it trouble Palaniswami when I raise my voice for the people?”
தமிழ்நாட்டிற்கான நியாயமான நிதி உரிமையை #NITIAayog கூட்டத்தில் வெளிப்படுத்த 24-ஆம் தேதி டெல்லி செல்கிறேன்!
சசிகலா முதல் அமித் ஷா வரை ஆள் மாறினாலும், டேபிளுக்கு அடியில் காலைப் பிடிக்கும் பழக்கம் மாறாத எதிர்க்கட்சித் தலைவர் பழனிசாமிக்கு இதனைக் கண்டு ஏன் வலிக்கிறது?
"பா.ஜ.க.வுடன்… pic.twitter.com/03W1rihtjv
— M.K.Stalin – தமிழ்நாட்டை தலைகுனிய விடமாட்டேன் (@mkstalin) May 21, 2025
Earlier, EPS mocked Stalin’s decision to attend the NITI Aayog meeting, suggesting it was intended for personal gain rather than for the State’s welfare and development. He questioned Stalin’s sudden change in stance, recalling his earlier boycotts based on allegations of the Centre neglecting Tamil Nadu. Linking this U-turn to recent ED raids that unearthed Rs 1,000 crore irregularities in the State-owned TASMAC, EPS questioned the timing of Stalin’s visit to Delhi. He said in a post on X: “He (Stalin) boasted that he was boycotting the NITI Aayog meeting because the Centre was ignoring Tamil Nadu. Now he’s flying to Delhi.”
"மத்திய அரசு தமிழ்நாட்டைப் புறக்கணிப்பதால் நிதி ஆயோக் கூட்டத்தை நான் புறக்கணிக்கிறேன்" என்று வீராவேசமாக பேசிய பொம்மை வேந்தர் @mkstalin, தற்போது நிதி ஆயோக் கூட்டத்தில் பங்கேற்க டெல்லிக்கு பறக்கிறாராம்!
தமிழ்நாட்டு மக்களுக்கு ஒரு தேவை என்றால் போகாதவர், தன் குடும்பத்திற்கு ஒரு தேவை… pic.twitter.com/rD1qjOGch9
— Edappadi K Palaniswami-SayYEStoWomenSafety&AIADMK (@EPSTamilNadu) May 20, 2025
A netizen quipped, “Has the time come for the white flag? He has almost fallen flat—all because of ‘Thambi’. Who is that Thambi (brother)?”
EPS alleged that Stalin’s visit to Delhi was for his family’s benefit. He said, “He (Stalin) did not go when the people of the State needed it, but now he is going for the sake of his family. Time has come to show the white flag for a truce (sarcastically). For him, his family’s interest comes before others.”
During the recent ED raids, it was revealed that Ratheesh and Akash Bhaskaran—believed to be close associates of Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin—had links to the alleged scam. Akash Bhaskaran, a budding Kollywood film producer and owner of Dawn Pictures, is reportedly related to DMK’s first family. He is working on Rs 400–Rs 500 crore projects featuring leading film stars, and is now under the ED’s scanner.
இது போல திமுகவில் உள்ள பவர் செண்டர்கள் எத்தனை ? அரசை முதல்வர் நடத்துகிறாரா ?
இந்த பவர் செண்டர்கள் நடத்துகின்றனவா ?
எதற்காக ஸ்டாலினை பொம்மை முதல்வர் என்று அழைக்கிறார்கள் என்று புரிகிறதா ?
இப்படி ஒரு ஆட்சி நடத்தி விட்டு உழைத்துக் களைத்தது போல, ஊட்டியில் ஓய்வு @mkstalin https://t.co/ykPuL7qxrt
— Savukku Shankar (@SavukkuOfficial) May 16, 2025
The ED is reported to have found printed WhatsApp chat screenshots near the residence of the TASMAC Managing Director (MD) in Chennai. These communications allegedly show Ratheesh issuing direct instructions to the MD, including selecting liquor brands and managing tenders. One exchange included a photo of the MD with Udhayanidhi Stalin, suggesting Ratheesh’s influence in powerful circles. AIADMK has demanded clarity, calling Ratheesh “Who_Is_That_Brother?”—a nickname aimed at pressuring DMK leadership to clarify his role in the alleged scam. Ratheesh is reportedly untraceable.
YouTuber Savukku Shankar posted on X: “Udhayanidhi Stalin’s eyes and ears, Thambi Ratheesh, escapes to Dubai evading the clutches of ED. ED searches his house and seals the premises. TASMAC MD Visakan IAS, caught in the ED tornado, faces a Hobson’s choice—turn approver or face arrest.”
Shankar further alleged: “The illegal income generated from TASMAC was pumped into the film industry. To facilitate this, a new firm, ‘Dawn Pictures’, was floated as a front for Udhayanidhi’s cinematic aspirations. The ED has traced the money trail.”
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