Tamil Nadu CM Stalin Criticizes PM Modi Over RTI and Katchatheevu Disclosures

In a recent rally held in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin made pointed remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of misusing the Right to Information (RTI) Act to spread false narratives. The criticism came in the wake of RTI disclosures about the Katchatheevu Island, information which the BJP used to target the Congress and DMK for allegedly ceding the island to Sri Lanka. Stalin asserted that Modi’s discussions on Katchatheevu in Uttar Pradesh indicated a sense of confusion, further lambasting Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for her remarks demanding accounts of the funds allocated to Tamil Nadu by the Centre.

Stalin didn’t hold back in his assault on the central government, emphasizing the need to displace the current regime to safeguard pluralism and social justice in India. He highlighted the BJP’s alleged fear-driven tactics, including refraining from coercive tax actions against the Congress and not opposing bail for AAP’s Sanjay Singh, as attempts by Modi and his “allies” to manipulate public opinion. The DMK chief’s comments underscore a deepening rift between state and central leadership, particularly over the use of federal mechanisms like the RTI to engage in political battles.

The rally in Tiruvannamalai was not just a political critique but a call to action for preserving democratic values against misinformation and undue pressure from the central government. As Stalin remarked, the involvement of entities like the Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax Department, and CBI, alongside the RTI, in political machinations is a troubling trend that seeks to confuse and mislead the populace. This ongoing clash between the Tamil Nadu government and the Centre highlights the complexities of federal relationships in India, especially as they play out in the public eye.

Pic Courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright