Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has criticised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin for opposing the arrest of fellow minister Senthil Balaji. Singh condemned Stalin’s duplicity of character, as he had previously referred to Balaji as corrupt and demanded his arrest while he was in the AIADMK party.
Balaji, who is currently the minister for Electricity and Prohibition and Excise, was arrested earlier this month in connection with a Prevention of Money Laundering Act case.
Singh also criticised Stalin’s handling of the recent arrest of BJP State Secretary SG Surya over a social media post critical of a CPI councillor and Madurai MP. According to Singh, Stalin’s actions were anti-Constitutional and anti-democratic, and put democracy in danger.
However, Singh did highlight the Tamil Nadu Defence Corridor, which is being built with an investment of approximately Rs 14,945 crore. The project, which has so far received Rs 4,015 crore in investment, is a significant boost to the southern state.
Singh added that the establishment of Sengol, the sacred sceptre, in the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month had recognised Tamil culture’s honour and its contribution to the country’s cultural nationalism.
He also affirmed the BJP’s commitment to its alliance with AIADMK in Tamil Nadu, emphasising that the relationship reflected the parties’ shared history. Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government, the first BJP government, was supported by Tamil Nadu’s Jaya Amma, he noted.
Finally, Singh affirmed the Modi government’s commitment to ensuring that Tamil Refugees in Sri Lanka live with peace, equality, and dignity. He noted that the government had provided relief to the fishermen community and was pursuing good diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka.
