DMK Plans Budget Protests Following MK Stalin’s “Isolated” Message to Prime Minister

Chennai:

Tamil Nadu’s ruling DMK will hold statewide protests on Saturday against the 2024 Union Budget, accusing it of discriminating against states not governed by the BJP or its allies.

The reference is to states like Andhra Pradesh and Bihar.

The ruling TDP and JDU, allies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP, have received special packages and projects worth several thousand crores, including Rs 11,500 crore flood relief for Bihar. Despite the DMK’s request for Rs 37,000 crore in aid after December floods caused by Cyclone Michaung, Tamil Nadu has only received Rs 276 crore so far.

The TDP and JDU are crucial allies for the BJP, contributing 28 Lok Sabha MPs to help the party maintain a majority with its 240 seats.

The DMK claims the budget has favored these allies to keep the BJP in power, while Tamil Nadu, which gave no seats to the BJP in the last two general elections, faces “vengeance” and “step-motherly treatment”.

On Wednesday, Chief Minister MK Stalin accused the central government of ignoring his pleas for funds for the second phase of Chennai’s metro project and financial aid for flood-affected areas.

ஒன்றிய நிதிநிலை அறிக்கையில் ஒருசில மாநிலங்கள் நீங்கலாகப் பல்வேறு மாநிலங்கள் புறக்கணிக்கப்பட்டிருப்பதைக் கண்டிக்கும் வகையில் #INDIA கூட்டணி எம்.பி.க்கள் போராட்டம் நடத்தியுள்ளார்கள்.

மாண்புமிகு பிரதமர் @narendramodi அவர்களே…

“தேர்தல் முடிந்துவிட்டது, இனி நாட்டைப் பற்றியே… pic.twitter.com/95xXotDQDa

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) July 24, 2024

In a strongly-worded post on X, the Chief Minister said, “The election is over… now we have to think about the country. Budget 2024 will save your rule… but will not save the nation.”

“Run the government objectively… otherwise you will be isolated.”

“Don’t be vindictive towards those who defeated you… you will be isolated if you govern according to your political likes and dislikes,” the Tamil leader added.

The BJP responded, stating that no budget speech can mention all states and highlighting that Tamil Nadu’s funds have increased compared to the Congress-led UPA governments from 2004 to 2014. The DMK and Congress, both members of the INDIA bloc, are allies at the state and national levels.

Other notable leaders include Congress-ruled state leaders Siddaramaiah (Karnataka), Revanth Reddy (Telangana), and Sukhvinder Sukhu (Himachal Pradesh).

Meanwhile, BJP’s Tamil Nadu chief, K Annamalai, criticized MK Stalin for boycotting a Niti Aayog meeting of chief ministers. “He ought to have discussed his concerns about the state’s development at the Niti Aayog meet and secured welfare schemes,” Mr Annamalai said.

“He has betrayed the people of Tamil Nadu.”

The DMK defended the boycott, with Rajya Sabha MP Trichy Siva stating, “This (referring to the budget’s provisions) is the center’s attitude towards opposition-ruled states. Nothing will happen in the meeting.”