Stalin stated that it would only take one second to say we will not pay the tax that the Union government is collecting from the state. However, he emphasised the importance of federalism highlighting it as a system of mutual give-and-take.
Published Feb 23, 2025 | 4:40 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 23, 2025 | 4:40 PM
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin. (X)
Synopsis: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s statement that Tamil Nadu would stop collecting taxes for the Union government had stirred controversy. The BJP slammed him saying that the statement was irresponsible. A political analyst raised doubts about the practical validity of the statement.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin ignited a political controversy by stating that it “won’t take a minute” for the state to stop collecting taxes for the Union government.
On Saturday, 22 February, during a public meeting in Cuddalore, Stalin expressed strong opposition to the Union government’s policies, particularly the National Education Policy (NEP) and issues related to fund allocation.
He stated that it would only take one second to say we will not pay the tax that the Union government is collecting from the state. However, he emphasised the importance of federalism highlighting it as a system of mutual give-and-take.
The remark drew sharp criticism from the BJP saying that the statement was irresponsible and was not expected from a chief minister.
However, DMK leaders defended the statement saying that it reflected Tamil Nadu’s long-standing demand for proper revenue sharing from the central tax pool.
Following the statement, BJP Tamil Nadu Vice President Narayanan Thirupathy slammed Stalin’s statement, calling it irresponsible and legally untenable.
“Not in a moment, not even in an era can you stop paying taxes to the Indian government. It is unbecoming of a Chief Minister to make such statements. If you have the courage, say the same in court. A government that claims to halt tax payments will be stopped by the judiciary,” Thirupathy said.
“கல்வி விவகாரத்தில் மத்திய அரசு அரசியல்
செய்து வருகிறது; தமிழகத்தில் இருந்து மத்திய அரசு பெறும் வரியை நிறுத்த ஒரு நொடி போதும்” :- முதல்வர் ஸ்டாலின்.ஒரு நொடி அல்ல, ஒரு யுகமே ஆனாலும், இந்திய அரசின் வரியை நிறுத்த உங்களால் முடியாது. இப்படி பேசுவது முதலமைச்சருக்கு அழகல்ல. தைரியம்…
— Narayanan Thirupathy (@narayanantbjp) February 22, 2025
“Federalism is about giving and receiving — that is the foundation of the Indian Constitution,” Thirupathi wrote on X, quoting Stalin.
“You are absolutely right, MK Stalin,” he added.
“Just like in a family where all earning members (state governments) contribute to the head of the household (central government) and then receive funds for their expenses, federalism functions on the same principle. That is the essence of the Constitution. But what you say and what you do seem to be completely different,” the BJP leader said.
Thirupathi also criticised the DMK’s stance on Hindi. “If the DMK truly has the courage to oppose Hindi, instead of theatrics like removing Hindi signboards at railway stations, they should protest in front of DMK-run schools that teach Hindi and demand their closure,” he said. “Let the people and the DMK’s education business leaders take note of your actions.”
Echoing similar sentiments, BJP state Secretary A Ashwathaman criticised Stalin’s grasp of governance.
He said, “Staling lacks the understanding needed to govern Tamil Nadu effectively. He claims that the state government can stop collecting taxes for the Union, but that’s not how the system works. When you buy a biscuit packet for ₹2, ₹1 goes to the state and the other ₹1 goes to the Union — that’s how taxes are collected. It’s embarrassing for us as Tamil Nadu residents to be ruled by someone like Stalin.”
“For a state known for its strong ideological foundation, this is a shame. Taxes are not paid from his father’s money; they come from the hard-earned contributions of the people. He is hallucinating by making such statements on stage,” Ashwathaman said.
Responding to the criticism, DMK spokesperson and former MP TKS Elangovan argued that Stalin’s remarks reflected Tamil Nadu’s longstanding demand for a fair share of revenue.
“Taxes are collected by the state for the Union government, and that’s the only form of revenue. The taxes go to the Union share; if we don’t collect it, they won’t get their share either. What we are asking for is our due share. If we contribute ₹35,000, we receive just ₹1 in return, whereas others contributing ₹30,000 get ₹3. We are only asking for fair distribution because Tamil Nadu is losing over ₹10,000 crore, and that’s not something we can continue to bear,” Elangovan said.
Political analyst Sumanth Raman expressed his doubts on the practical validity of the chief minister’s statement.
“I am still trying to figure out how TN CM, if he wanted to, will in a minute or is it second, stop the payment of all taxes to the Centre. Can anyone explain his statement? Does he believe that State Govt officials go house to house and collect the taxes to give to the Centre?” he questioned on X.
I am still trying to figure out how TN CM, if he wanted to, will in a minute or is it second, stop the payment of all taxes to the Centre. Can anyone explain his statement?
Does he believe that State Govt officials go house to house and collect the taxes to give to the Centre? 🙄— Sumanth Raman (@sumanthraman) February 22, 2025
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
