The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu has issued a firm directive to its party members to stop engaging with criticism from a Congress functionary regarding the state's financial health and instead concentrate on promoting the government's development work.
Minister's Directive to Avoid 'Distractions'
This instruction came from senior DMK leader and state Industries Minister T R B Raaja a day after Congress leader Praveen Chakravarty sparked a controversy. Chakravarty had claimed on social media that Tamil Nadu's debt had doubled under the DMK government and was notably higher than that of Uttar Pradesh.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Minister Raaja urged the party's ecosystem to refrain from reacting to individuals with "private agendas." He emphasized the need to stay focused on a larger objective. "Urge our ecosystem to please avoid engaging with anyone with private agendas. We have a larger war to fight with those trying to curtail the growth of TN. Beware of unwanted distractions," Raaja stated in his post.
The Trigger: Congress Leader's Debt Allegation
The row began on Sunday when Congress data analytics head Praveen Chakravarty's tweet on Tamil Nadu's debt situation went viral. His assessment prompted immediate and angry responses from several senior DMK functionaries, leading to a public spat between the allies.
In his follow-up comments, Minister Raaja advised party workers to channel their energy into highlighting the administration's achievements. "Concentrate on our leader's pathbreaking schemes and development-oriented thoughts. Use your time to share the achievements of the Dravidian Model govt of our leader CM M K Stalin. Don't fall for diversionary hooks," he advised. Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) officials also issued rebuttals to Chakravarty's claims.
Political Undertones and Alliance Dynamics
Raaja did not hold back in speculating about the motives behind Chakravarty's criticism. He suggested the Congress leader was acting out of desperation over his political future. "He (Praveen) knows very well that he will not get a seat in the 2026 election if DMK is with Congress, and in desperation he is speaking against DMK," Raaja told The Times of India.
However, the minister expressed confidence in the larger alliance framework. He asserted that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi understands the DMK's crucial role as a key ally for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections and would not endorse actions against the ruling party in Tamil Nadu. Raaja also downplayed Chakravarty's influence, stating that while he projects himself as close to Rahul Gandhi, he is not engaged in decision-making, especially on matters related to Tamil Nadu.
This episode highlights the underlying tensions within the opposition INDIA bloc in Tamil Nadu, even as top leadership maintains a public stance of unity. The DMK's command to its cadre signals a desire to control the narrative and keep the focus squarely on its governance model ahead of future electoral battles.
