Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks regarding the Katchatheevu island row by posing three questions to those who raised the issue ahead of the Lok Sabha elections after a prolonged period of inaction. This exchange came after Modi accused the DMK of double standards on the matter.
Stalin's first question revolved around the disparity between the taxes Tamil Nadu pays to the central government and the amount it receives in return. He highlighted the imbalance, emphasizing that for every rupee Tamil Nadu contributes in taxes, it only receives 29 paise in return.
The second question focused on the lack of flood relief provided to Tamil Nadu despite facing consecutive calamities. Stalin questioned why the state did not receive any financial assistance for flood relief efforts from the central government.
Lastly, Stalin queried whether the BJP government at the center had introduced any special schemes or initiatives specifically aimed at benefiting Tamil Nadu during its tenure.
Stalin urged Modi to address these questions directly without deflecting from the issue at hand.
In response to Modi's criticism, DMK spokesperson Manuraj S criticized the BJP for engaging in blame games with the opposition instead of focusing on their achievements. He highlighted the irony of Modi's sudden realization of the Katchatheevu issue, which is nearly five decades old, and accused the BJP of resorting to outdated political strategies.
Additionally, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar criticized both the Congress and the DMK for their handling of the Katchatheevu issue, suggesting that they were shirking responsibility and treating it as solely the central government's problem to resolve. He emphasized the historical context of the matter and called for a more nuanced approach to its resolution.
