The Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously passed a resolution demanding the retrieval of Katchatheevu, but not before a heated debate between the ruling DMK and opposition AIADMK over their respective inactions when in power at the Centre.Leader of Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) questioned why the DMK, despite being part of multiple Union governmentsâincluding those led by V.P. Singh, I.K. Gujral, Deve Gowda, A.B. Vajpayee, and Manmohan Singhâhad not taken steps to reclaim the islet. He cited the legal battle initiated by former CM J. Jayalalithaa in 2008 when DMK was in UPA-I.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin countered, reminding AIADMK of its decade-long stint in the Central government and asking if they had raised the issue during their recent visits to Delhi. As the argument intensified, Leader of the House Duraimurugan urged both parties to focus on the resolution rather than blame games.
CM Stalin further stated that he had petitioned the Prime Minister and written to the Union External Affairs Minister 54 times on the issue. PWD Minister E.V. Velu and Law Minister S. Regupathy also pointed out that AIADMK leaders had held key positions in the Centre but failed to act.
Despite the war of words, EPS eventually extended his support, and the resolution was passed unanimously by voice vote.