Udhayanidhi Stalin accuses Centre of withholding funds to Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin accused the Centre of withholding Rs 3,000 crore meant for education and “snatching” the state’s rights, while also criticising alleged Hindi imposition and highlighting DMK welfare schemes ahead of assembly elections

Erode: Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Saturday charged the BJP government at the Centre with not releasing funds to the state and accused it of “snatching” TN’s rights.

Addressing a poll rally at Gobichettipalayam in the western Erode district, the DMK youth wing chief claimed the Centre has not released funds to the tune of Rs 3,000 crore for education.

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“They (the Union government) have snatched all our rights,” he charged. Udhayanidhi said that the BJP has not brought any new scheme for Tamil Nadu.

“There was no mention of the name Tamil Nadu in the Union budget,” he said, adding, “It (Centre) has not assisted the state government in any way.”

Claiming that the BJP government at the Centre is trying to “impose” Hindi, the deputy chief minister said, “The Union government has vowed to take revenge on us.”

“Therefore, people will ignore the BJP,” he said, reiterating, “This election is between Tamil Nadu and Delhi.” Udhayanidhi also termed AIADMK general secretary Edappad K Palaniswami as a “slave” of PM Narendra Modi.

With regard to the Centre’s proposal for delimitation, he said that Chief Minister M K Stalin was the first person in the country to raise his voice against the Union government’s move. He claimed that it was a “huge victory” for the INDIA alliance, as the bill was defeated for lack of a required majority after the opposition voted against it in the Lok Sabha.

Listing out various welfare measures implemented by the DMK government, he said the existing “Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai” (monthly financial assistance for women) will be doubled to Rs 2,000 if DMK is voted to power again.

The deputy chief minister charged that the BJP and AIADMK have tried to stall it by moving the court. “At present, more than 1.3 crore women have benefited from the scheme,” he said.

“Similarly, the breakfast scheme for government school students will be extended till Class VIII,” he said, adding, “More than 35 lakh college students across the state will be getting free laptops once the DMK government is formed.”

Udhayanidhi also pointed out the “Illatharasi” poll promise, providing Rs 8,000 worth of coupons to non-income tax-paying women, where they could buy or replace any household appliances of their choice.

Elections to 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu will be held on April 23, and the counting of votes will be held on May 4.