“Current strategy of the BJP - financial disempowerment of the states - is similar to limiting oxygen supply of living beings," Stalin said.
Published Feb 08, 2024 | 6:01 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 08, 2024 | 6:01 PM
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday, 8 February, released a video statement extending support to the Kerala government’s protest against the BJP-led Union government.
“Let’s support the voices that are being raised in Delhi today for states’ rights!” Stalin said in his message on X.
He said that the protest was not only for the Opposition-ruled states but all the states in the Indian Union. He also appealed to end the “fascist and tyrant rule of the BJP”.
Stalin asserted that both Kerala and Tamil Nadu would fight together and win the rights of the states.
Saying that he could not attend the protest in Delhi since he had just returned from Spain, Stalin added that he had sent state Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan and DMK MPs from the state to attend the protest.
“I am disheartened to see the deteriorating political climate in the country that necessitated the people from Kerala to travel to Delhi and protest.”
“Yesterday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also protested in Delhi. Today, a black shirt protest was organised by DMK MPs in Delhi. All the states are compelled to protest against the common grievance of inequitable distribution of funds to us,” Stalin said.
“We are about to appear at the juncture where the BJP-led Union government would be compelled to answer about its actions to the people of India,” he added.
In the video, he recalled the time when VP Singh was the prime minister of India.
“During his tenure, VP Singh had assured our Kalaingar (former chief minister M Karunanidhi), ‘There is no need for you to visit Delhi for the demands of Tamil Nadu. I will ensure that such a need does not arise. If you convey your needs from Tamil Nadu, I will fulfil them’.”
“A similar respect towards all the states was a distinguishing feature of all our prime ministers. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi considers states like mere municipalities and has a disdain towards chief ministers.”
“Even though he became the prime minister after being the chief minister of Gujarat, the first thing he did after assuming power was to curtail the rights of the states,” Stalin said.
“He eroded the financial autonomy of the states, withdrew the educational rights of the states, diminished our language rights and withheld the legal rights of the states.”
“The current strategy of the BJP, the financial disempowerment of the states, is similar to limiting the oxygen supply of living beings,” claimed the chief minister.
“It is a caution for the BJP-ruled states as well: Tomorrow your states will also have to face similar situations,” he asserted.
ഇന്ന് ഡൽഹിയിൽ ഉയരുന്ന സംസ്ഥാനങ്ങളുടെ അവകാശങ്ങൾക്ക് വേണ്ടിയുള്ള ശബ്ദത്തിന് പിന്തുണ നൽകാം!
ഇത് പ്രതിപക്ഷം ഭരിക്കുന്ന സംസ്ഥാനങ്ങൾക്ക് വേണ്ടി മാത്രമല്ല, ഇന്ത്യൻ യൂണിയനിലെ എല്ലാ സംസ്ഥാനങ്ങൾക്കും വേണ്ടിയുള്ള ശബ്ദമാണ്.
ഈ ഫാസിസ്റ്റ്, സ്വേച്ഛാധിപത്യ ബിജെപി ഗവൺമെൻ്റിൻ്റെ ഭരണത്തിൻ്റെ… pic.twitter.com/D8ildaxkC0
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) February 8, 2024
Stalin asserted that the Tamil Nadu government stood against the autocratic government run by the BJP and said that the Kerala chief minister was also doing the same.
He claimed that post the implementation of the GST, the finances of all states are in the brink of an abyss.
The Union government is supposed to employ a cohesive strategy to deal with the financial crisis but it is not doing it now.
It is creating hindrances for states to even make borrowings for developments.The provision of public debt to ensure public expenditure is a constitutional right.
It is the state government that caters to the needs of the common public, yet the efforts are being curtailed by the BJP government.
He urged to collectively oppose the Union government under the Opposition unity INDIA bloc.
“Let us unite under the INDIA bloc to dismantle the authoritarian BJP regime and ensure the true federalism of India, one that cherishes all states and treats them equally,” Stalin added.
Meanwhile, speaking during the Kerala government’s protest at Jantar Mantar, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal hit out at the BJP-led Union government, accusing it of waging a war against state governments led by Opposition parties.
“Opposition parties represent 70 crore people in the country. The BJP has waged a war against the opposition-ruled states. The Union government is using all the tactics to harass the opposition governments,” Kejriwal said at the protest.
He added, “It is depriving them of valid funds, obstructs work through Governors and LGs. They are also harassing them by using central agencies to arrest opposition leaders.”
He said the protesters were not “here to beg or ask for anything for our families.”
“I have come here to ask for the rights of two crore people. If you do not give us funds how will we build roads, provide electricity and work for development,” the Aam Aadmi Party National Convener said.
Citing Punjab’s instance, he said the state government had to go to the Supreme Court for the release of rural development funds.
The Governors are meddling with state subjects in opposition-ruled states and agencies like ED are being used to frame opposition leaders, he alleged.
“They have arrested Hemant Soren, now they can arrest even me. They can arrest anyone and send him to jail to topple the government.
“I want to ask the BJP not to be arrogant. A time can come when we will be there (in power) and you will be here (in opposition) and the same laws can come to haunt you,” Kejriwal said.
(With PTI inputs)
