Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai has refuted Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu’s claims that the Central government has not allocated funds for state projects, stating that the Centre has provided Rs. 11 lakh crore to Tamil Nadu over the last ten years.After offering prayers at the Meenakshi Amman Temple, Annamalai addressed the media and shared his views on alliance politics, the upcoming elections, and Central funding for Tamil Nadu.
Annamalai said, “The Tamil Nadu government accusing the Centre of not providing funds is baseless. Over the years, the Central government has allocated significant funds, including Rs. 36,000 crore for the Chennai Metro project. In the upcoming Union Budget in February, more major projects will receive funding for Tamil Nadu.”
He added that the DMK government focuses entirely on criticizing the Centre instead of addressing its governance issues.
Annamalai rejected claims that his statements were responsible for the BJP-AIADMK alliance ending. He criticized the AIADMK for its strategy in the previous parliamentary elections, saying, “AIADMK targeted minority votes but failed to secure their support. Meanwhile, minorities are now dissatisfied with the DMK due to its unfulfilled promises.”
Reiterating the BJP’s stance, Annamalai said, “There will be no alliance with AIADMK in the upcoming elections. We will contest the elections with like-minded parties that align with our ideological principles.”
Annamalai accused the DMK government of using the Governor as a scapegoat for its political agenda. He said, “The DMK government and its cadres have been disrespectful towards the Governor, with derogatory posters being put up against him. This behavior is unacceptable.”
He further remarked that Chief Minister Stalin would understand the public’s dissatisfaction if he visited Madurai.
Annamalai also took a dig at national and regional parties for allegedly wooing actor Vijay to join their alliances. “A national party leader recently invited Vijay to join their alliance. These parties, which are on the verge of extinction in Tamil Nadu, are now desperately calling Vijay to support them,” he said.
In a sarcastic remark, Annamalai added, “I would advise these parties to place at least 10% of the trust they have in Vijay on their former leader Rahul Gandhi.”
Annamalai downplayed the significance of the Erode East Assembly by-election, stating, “This by-election will not bring any significant changes to Tamil Nadu politics.”
He concluded by asserting that the BJP is focused on winning the trust of the people and forming a government with its alliance in Tamil Nadu.