Chennai, Feb 15 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President M K Stalin on Saturday
said the Centre's decision to impose President's rule in strife-torn Manipur was "very belated."
Replying to questions from public as part of his "Ungalil Oruvan" series (One among you) programme via video-conferencing, he said Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh has not resigned on its own.
"Biren Singh had to quit as he had no other choice as Manipur has been burning for the last two years", he said.
Mr Stalin said more than 200 people had lost their lives in that state and the Chief Minister had not taken any action on this and was instead protected by the BJP Government at the Centre.
Pointing out that videos revealing that the Chief Minister himself was linked to the violence in Manipur has come out, Mr Stalin said the Supreme Court had ruled that it should be probed in detail and the allies of the BJP and BJP MLAs have now turned against the Saffron party.
"It was in this stage, the Chief Minister was forced to resign as he had no other choice and the President's rule was imposed", he added.
"Whether it is the BJP-ruled Maipur or Uttar Pradesh, this is the status of the law and order situation. But they are speaking about other states", Mr Stalin said, adding, the DMK's stand was that peace and normalcy should soon return to Manipur and a government wished by the people and that
protects them should be installed.
Asked about the benefits for Tamil Nadu in the Union Budget, Mr Stalin said TN has been completely neglected in the Budget and there was no funds for the State for the last few years.
"What's more then there was no mention of the name Tamil Nadu in it", he charged.
The Centre has been releasing reports that Tamil Nadu is the leading State in the country in all parameters, but was adamant in not releasing any funds to the State, he said.
The Centre has been asking TN to implement the schemes using its own funds. "Though we are utilising our own funds in launching various welfare schemes, they can be effectively implemented only if the Centre gives its share of funds", he added.
The Centre has been even refusing funds under the SSA scheme affecting the students community and also stopped releasing the funds already granted.
"The Centre has been continuously deceiving the State and is demeaning TN for seeking its due rights and we are continuously fighting against it", he said.
Mr Stalin also listed out various schemes launched by the DMK regime for the welfare of students, including women, and enhancing their education since it came to power in May 2021 like the CM's Breakfast scheme for school students, Pudhumai Penn scheme, providing Rs 1,000 assistance to college students under the Tamil Puthalvan scheme.
Asked if was any differences or contradictions among the allies of the DMK expressing divergent views, Mr Stalin said said difference of opinion was quite natural in a family, office or other places.
"It is an identity of democratic ties and I consider their (DMK allies) views only as an advice and
suggestion", he added.
Referring to Opposition AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami's remarks that the Delhi Assembly poll outcome has dealt a severe blow to the INDIA bloc, the Chief Minister said it appeared as if it
was the statement of the BJP.
Reiterating his claim that the AIADMK has a tacit and secret understanding with the BJP, despite severing its ties and walking out the NDA, Mr Stalin said Mr Palaniswami was providing 'voice dubbing' for the BJP.
UNI GV 1620