Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin launched a sharp political offensive against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) during a major agricultural event in Tiruvannamalai. Inaugurating a state-level agricultural exhibition on Saturday, Stalin positioned the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) as the sole protector of farmers' interests, accusing rival parties of hypocrisy and neglect.
Dravidian Model vs. "Name-Change" Politics
Addressing a gathering of farmers, Stalin contrasted his government's approach with that of its opponents. He claimed that some regimes merely alter the names of welfare schemes for political convenience while leaving agriculturists to struggle. Others, he alleged, don farmer attire for photo opportunities but support laws detrimental to cultivators and dismiss their protests.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the DMK government places farmer welfare and income growth at the core of its policies. He recalled that one of the first official actions after assuming power was to rename the state's Agriculture Department to the Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, symbolizing a renewed focus.
Accusations of MGNREGS Demise and Opposition Apathy
Stalin reserved particularly strong criticism for the BJP-led central government regarding the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). He accused the BJP of having conducted a "closing ceremony" for the pivotal poverty-alleviation program.
"This scheme has achieved great success in eradicating poverty and increasing cash flow among rural people," Stalin stated. "Now BJP has removed even the name of Mahatma Gandhi from the scheme and has taken away the character of it being a legal right to 100 days' work a year." He argued the scheme had been systematically weakened over a decade and was now effectively abolished.
The CM also turned his fire on the AIADMK and its leader, Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS). He questioned the opposition's silence and accused them of collaboration. "We are the ones fighting against this, both in Parliament and in people's forums. Are they (AIADMK) paying any attention to all this? No," Stalin said. He pointed out that the AIADMK, despite claiming to represent farmers, had voted in favor of the central government's moves in Parliament.
A Vow for 2024 and Allegations of Jealousy
Confident of his administration's record, Stalin told the crowd that the people are no longer ready to believe the "lies" of the BJP and AIADMK. This led him to a powerful declaration regarding the upcoming elections. "That is why, again and again, I say loudly that Dravidian model 2.0 govt will surely, surely, surely be formed," he proclaimed, signaling the DMK's goal for a consecutive term.
Stalin further alleged that the state's progress under the Dravidian Model was causing envy. "This growth is making many people's eyes burn with jealousy and their stomachs churn. That is why they are trying somehow to bring disrepute to TN," he claimed. He also slammed the central government for withholding funds for Tamil Nadu, labeling those who support such actions as "traitors" and "slaves."
The event in Tiruvannamalai served as a significant platform for Stalin to consolidate the farmer vote bank and draw clear battle lines ahead of the national political contest, framing the DMK as the only credible defender of Tamil Nadu's rights and rural economy.
