In a heated speech at the NDTV Tamil Nadu Summit, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin took aim at the BJP and its state ally AIADMK. The alliance between the two parties was reformed in April after a breakdown in 2023 due to strained ties caused by snide attacks from K Annamlai, then the BJP’s state boss.
Stalin accused the BJP and AIADMK of joining forces out of necessity, as neither party could defeat his DMK on its own in the upcoming April Assembly elections. He also employed a popular tactic used by opposition parties against the BJP, dubbing them the “washing machine” that whitewashes corrupt political leaders.
In response to the BJP’s accusations of rampant nepotism in opposition parties, Stalin questioned the integrity of the BJP, stating that only through winning people’s confidence can votes be secured. He then posed a rhetorical question to the BJP, asking if they have washed corrupt AIADMK leaders in a washing machine.
Stalin also raised questions about the Centre’s non-payment of federal funds, particularly for education. Specifically, he asked when funds pending under the Samagira Sikha Scheme, worth around Rs 2,000 crore, would be released. This dispute revolves around the Tamil Nadu government’s refusal to implement the new National Education Policy (NEP), leading to accusations of Hindi imposition from the state government.
