In the latest episode of his podcast series, ‘Speaking for India,’ Chief Minister MK Stalin launched a scathing critique of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre for what he perceives as an infringement on State rights. Stalin accused Modi of changing his stance on state autonomy, alleging that the BJP-led government at the Centre seeks to curtail the autonomy of states.Stalin stressed the significance of state autonomy in his party’s ideology. He pointed out that while Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he spoke in favor of state autonomy. However, according to Stalin, after becoming the Prime Minister, Modi’s stance shifted.
Stalin stated, “State autonomy is one of the most important parts of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s ideology. When PM Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he spoke in favor of the state’s autonomy, but after becoming the Prime Minister, he began to dislike the first line of the Constitution which is, ‘India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.'”
He further accused the BJP of aiming to diminish states’ roles and reduce them to mere municipalities. Stalin pointed out that, during his time as Chief Minister, PM Modi advocated for non-Delhi-centric schemes that would support the development of individual states. However, after becoming the Prime Minister, he disbanded the planning commission and created Niti Aayog.
“PM Modi had also said that he supported the autonomy of states and was against the purpose of rallying to Delhi, but now we have to wait at the doorstep of the Centre even to implement state schemes,” claimed Chief Minister Stalin, highlighting what he perceives as a stark shift in the Prime Minister’s approach.
Stalin also raised concerns about Tamil Nadu’s financial status, attributing its critical state to the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). He claimed that the state had suffered a loss of Rs 85,000 crore in the current year and was facing the prospect of further losses.
In addition to these criticisms, Chief Minister Stalin voiced his concerns about the intrusion of the Centre into the state’s rights in the name of the National Education Policy (NEP). He argued that these intrusions would have detrimental effects on the future of students in Tamil Nadu.