In a sharp response to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister 🌱MK Stalin’s recent remarks, BJP state chief K Annamalai raised ques🧔tions about Stalin's leadership abilities.
Drawing a comparison to US Presidents who undergo mental health check-ups to assess their fitness to govern, Annamalai cast doubt on Stalin’s ability to ওeffectively lead Tamil Nadu.
The heated exchange came amidst the ongo🐽ing controversy over the Centre’s proposed three-language policy, which has faced strong opposition 🍸from the DMK.
Annamalai’s criticism came after Stalin announced an all-party meeting scheduled for March 5 to discuss the issue of Lok Sabha delimitation. Stalin expressed concerns that Tamil Nadu could lose eight parliamentary seats due to the state’s success in implementing a family planning program, which resulted in population control. As a result, the state’s representation in Parliament could be reduced.
Annamalai swiftly responded, accusing Stalin of 🅘creating “imaginary fears” regarding delimitation and attempting to shift focus from the contentious three-language policy.
“When nobody has spoken on this or officially said anything, why is he calling for an all-party meeting?” Annamalai posted on social media, questioning the need for such a meeting. He also hinted that the BJP might not attend𒉰 the all-party meeting, further intensifying the political standoff.
Three-language policy clash
The three-language polic𝔍y,🅰 which includes the teaching of Hindi in schools, remains a major point of contention between the BJP-led Central government and the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government.
Stalin reaffirmed his strong opposition to the policy, declaring that Tamil Nadu would not accept the imposition of Hindi in schools, and would🙈 continue with Tamil and English as the primary languages🍃 of instruction.
Annamalai, who has been a vocal critic of the DMK’s position on this issue, accused Stalin of fear-mongering and shifting the narrative away from the three-language debate. “The people of Tamil💞 Nadu have rejected Stalin’s argument on the three-language policy, and now he wants to create unnecessary panic about delimitation,” Annamalai said, emphasising the state’s rejection of the Hindi imposition.
Stalin calls for Unity over Delimitation threat
Stalin, on t🐠he other hand, has urged all political parties in Tamil Nadu to come together in unity to discuss the potential loss of parliamentary seats due to the delimitation process. He stated that Tamil Nadu’s reduced population, resulting from successful family planning measures, should not lead to a reduction in the state's political representation in Parliament.
The Chief Minister also reminded political leaders of the importance of Tamil Nadu’s representation in Parliament and the need for a collective effort to safeguard the state’s rights. “Our representation in Parliament is at risk, and Tamil Nadu’s voice could be stifled if ▨we lose these seats,” Stalin warned.
