PUDUKKOTTAI: Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Friday launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Union government and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), declaring that the ruling DMK would not be silenced by threats or political intimidation. His remarks came in the wake of recent ED raids on the offices of state-owned enterprise TASMAC.
Speaking to the media after a review meeting of welfare schemes at the Pudukkottai District Collector's Office, Udhayanidhi asserted that he and his party is not afraid of Prime Minister Narendra Modi or the ED.
Responding to a question on the opposition AIADMK accusing CM M K Stalin of rushing to the national capital to attend the Niti Aayog's Governing Council meeting today in the wake of ED searches on TASMAC, Udhayanidhi replied that the Chief Minister had gone to attend the meeting to obtain funds for Tamil Nadu.
“Our Chief Minister has gone to the NITI Aayog meeting in Delhi to seek funds for our state. I’ve said this many times — I am not afraid of Modi or the ED. What have they done? They try to threaten us. But the DMK is not a party that can be intimidated,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.
“There is no fear. We will not remain silent. Whatever comes our way, we will face it within the legal framework,” he added.
In a huge relief for the ruling party, the Supreme Court on May 22, stayed the ED investigation and raids in connection with the liquor scam and the Chief Justice of India BR Gavai went on to slam the ED for crossing all limits.
Chairing a comprehensive review meeting of district officials, MLAs, and ministers to assess the implementation of state welfare schemes in Pudukkottai district, Udhayanidhi instructed the officials to expedite the pending government projects.
On infrastructure development, Udhayanidhi announced that the state government would sanction Rs 3.5 crore for the revival of a multi-purpose sports complex in Pudukkottai. Originally built in 2015, the complex had remained unused due to financial constraints. He added that an additional Rs 1 crore would be contributed by local MLAs and ministers.
“The work will be completed by December. The upgraded sports hall will include a shuttle court, indoor kabaddi court, boxing hall, gallery, and more,” he said.
As part of his visit, Udhayanidhi distributed welfare measures worth Rs 40.45 crore, benefiting 1,195 people under various schemes.
A total of Rs 3.59 crore worth of over 125 pattas were allocated to Narikuravas, a Scheduled Tribe, at the District Collectorate. Additionally, 1,000 beneficiaries received orders for constructing houses under the Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam scheme, valued at Rs 35 crore.
The Deputy Chief Minister also issued pattas regularising unobjectionable encroachments on poramboke lands worth Rs 1.45 crore to over 50 individuals.
Later in the evening, he distributed pattas to 20 transgender persons in Kallukumiyalpatti, worth Rs 49.19 lakh.