Katchatheevu row: Stalin hits back at Modi, questions BJP's 'sudden love' for fishermen
He also questioned the prime minister on a slew of issues including the Rs 37,000 crore flood relief packages sought by the state
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday (April 1) hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's criticism of the state's ruling DMK on the Katchatheevu issue, questioning the BJP's "sudden love" for fishermen ahead of the elections and questioned the PM on issues including the Rs 37,000 crore flood relief packages sought by the state.
The Katchatheevu islet was ceded to Sri Lanka by India by way of an agreement in 1974.
Responding to Modi's criticism through a post on 'X', Stalin also described the Katchatheevu issue as a "diversionary" tactic being adopted by the PM.
"The people of Tamil Nadu want to put forth only three questions to those, who, after being in a Kumbakarna slumber for 10 years, are displaying a sudden love for the fishermen for elections. Why does the Union government return just 29 paise out of the Re 1 paid by TN as tax," he asked.
"Why has not been a single penny given to Tamil Nadu as flood relief despite the state having faced two natural disasters (the floods in Chennai and Thoothukudi in December 2023)," Stalin said.
Thirdly, he asked if there was one special scheme meant for the state that was implemented in the last 10 years of BJP rule at the Centre.
"Instead of involving in diversions, please respond to all these, Prime Minister," he said while seeking answers from the PM.
His statement came after the prime minister said “new details” on the Katchatheevu island issue “have unmasked DMK’s double standards totally”.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, “Rhetoric aside, DMK has done NOTHING to safeguard Tamil Nadu’s interests. New details emerging on #Katchatheevu have UNMASKED the DMK’s double standards totally.”
“Congress and DMK are family units. They only care that their own sons and daughters rise. They don’t care for anyone else. Their callousness on Katchatheevu has harmed the interests of our poor fishermen and fisherwomen in particular,” he added.
Earlier, the DMK slammed Modi on Sunday for targeting the Congress over its decision to “callously” hand over the strategic island to Sri Lanka in the 1970s.
DMK spokesperson Manuraj S said the BJP was “afraid” to campaign on its achievements and was busy playing blame games with the Opposition.
“Startling that the Prime Minister's eyes have been opened by a news article based on an RTI query filed by his party person and information provided by his government on an issue that is nearly 50 years old,” he said in a tweet.
(With agency inputs)
