Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu – February 26: Union Home Minister Amit Shah dismissed allegations by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin regarding the state's fund allocation by the central government, calling them "diversionary tactics." He also rejected concerns over the upcoming delimitation exercise, assuring that no southern state, including Tamil Nadu, would see a reduction in its Parliamentary representation.
Addressing a gathering at the inauguration of the BJP party office in Coimbatore, Shah countered Stalin’s claims, stating that the Narendra Modi-led central government had allocated ₹5,08,337 lakh crore to Tamil Nadu between 2014 and 2024, significantly more than the ₹1.52 lakh crore provided during the UPA rule (2004-2014). He also noted that an additional ₹1.43 lakh crore was granted for infrastructure development.
Delimitation Concerns and DMK’s Response
Shah took aim at Stalin’s remarks that Tamil Nadu could lose up to eight of its 39 Lok Sabha seats due to delimitation, which he claimed was a consequence of the state’s successful family planning initiatives. Stalin has convened an all-party meeting on March 5 to address the issue.Shah, however, assured that the delimitation would be conducted on a "pro-rata basis," and no southern state would suffer a reduction in seats. In response, senior DMK leader and Lok Sabha MP A Raja questioned the basis of this "pro-rata" approach, asking whether it was determined by population size or the number of existing constituencies. He warned that even if Tamil Nadu's seat count remained unchanged, other states gaining more seats could diminish Tamil Nadu’s influence on key legislative matters, such as NEET and Jallikattu.
Allegations Against DMK and Law & Order Criticism
Shah did not hold back in his criticism of the ruling DMK, accusing its leaders of widespread corruption. Listing various allegations, he claimed that DMK members were embroiled in cash-for-jobs scams, money laundering, disproportionate assets cases, coal scams, and the ₹6,000 crore CRIDP scam.The Home Minister also raised concerns over the state's law and order situation, alleging that the DMK government provided security for the funeral of 1998 Coimbatore blast mastermind S.A. Basha. He accused the ruling party of fostering an environment where "anti-national tendencies" were at an all-time high, allowing drug mafias to operate freely and illegal mining activities to thrive.
Shah further pointed to incidents of violence against students and the alleged failure to curb the illicit liquor trade, expressing concern over the safety of young girls in Tamil Nadu's educational institutions.
BJP’s Political Aspirations in Tamil Nadu
With an eye on the upcoming elections, Shah expressed confidence that the NDA would come to power in Tamil Nadu, claiming it would secure a victory larger than its successes in Maharashtra and Haryana. He positioned the BJP as a force committed to preserving Tamil Nadu’s heritage, highlighting Prime Minister Modi’s initiatives such as placing the sacred Sengol in Parliament as a tribute to Tamil culture.Visit to Isha Yoga Center
Following the political event, Shah visited the Isha Yoga Center to take part in Mahashivratri celebrations. He was welcomed by Sadhguru, the center’s founder, who gave him a tour of the premises.With the delimitation debate intensifying, the upcoming all-party meeting on March 5 is expected to play a crucial role in shaping Tamil Nadu’s stance on the issue. Meanwhile, the BJP appears to be ramping up its campaign in the state, setting the stage for a heated political battle in the run-up to the elections.
