In Vellore, situated in Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a vigorous assault on the ruling DMK-led coalition in Tamil Nadu. He vowed to persist in revealing the “age-old perilous politics” of the ruling party in the state.
During a gathering in Vellore, PM Modi asserted that DMK incites discord among people on the basis of geography, faith, and caste. He accused the regional party of harboring drug smuggling operations within the state.
“Who shelters these narcotics cartels? To which lineage do the drug traffickers apprehended by NCB belong?… DMK Party sows discord among people based on geography, faith, and caste. DMK is aware that once people grasp the politics of division and domination, DMK will not garner a single vote. Hence, they instigate internal strife for electoral gains. I’ve resolved to persist in exposing this age-old perilous politics of DMK,” articulated PM Modi.
The Prime Minister once more aimed his criticism at the Congress and DMK regarding the Katchatheevu issue, alleging that these parties kept the state uninformed for numerous years. He alleged that Congress and DMK exhibit feigned empathy over the detention of fishermen by Sri Lanka near the island. “Another instance of Congress and DMK’s hypocrisy is now under scrutiny nationwide. During the Congress regime at the Centre, they relinquished the Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka. Yet, they remain mum regarding the decision-making cabinet and the beneficiaries. Numerous fishermen have been apprehended in recent years, and then they (Congress) feign sympathy,” declared PM Modi.
The PM further stated that the incumbent government has consistently endeavored to repatriate Indian fishermen from Sri Lanka. “The NDA government is persistently working towards repatriating these fishermen,” he appended. Modi had recently censured Congress over the “surrender” of the islet in 1974. He referenced a media report and alleged that new disclosures indicated that Congress “heedlessly” relinquished Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka.
The media report was predicated on an RTI response received by Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai to his inquiries regarding the 1974 pact between India and Lanka when Indira Gandhi held the Prime Ministerial office. In his discourse, PM Modi also extolled Tamil Nadu and highlighted the state’s contributions to the aerospace sector and manufacturing.
“India is currently ascending as a global power, and Tamil Nadu has played an integral role. Tamil Nadu has made notable contributions to the aerospace sector and manufacturing. I am confident that the defense corridor under construction will propel this state to greater heights,” he remarked. PM Modi also discussed his endeavors to promote the Tamil language and referenced the Kashi Tamil Sangamam. “At the United Nations, I endeavor to converse in Tamil so that the entire world acknowledges that our Tamil is the most ancient language,” he expressed.
“As the MP of Kashi, I extend an invitation to enhance the eminence of Kashi Tamil Sangam. Additionally, being a native of Gujarat where many families from Gujarat reside here too, I invite you to the Saurashtra Tamil Sangam,” he appended. The Prime Minister implored support for Pattali Makkal Kachi’s Dharmapuri candidate Soumya Anbumani as well as the New Justice Party’s Vellore candidate AC Shanmugam, who is contesting under the BJP symbol.
All 39 constituencies in Tamil Nadu will partake in a single-phase election on April 19. Vote tabulation is scheduled for June 4. In 2019, the DMK-led coalition swept the Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu, securing 38 out of 39 seats.