Why No Panel For Manipur, Kumbh Stampede? TN CM Stalin Slams BJP MPs' Karur Visit

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has slammed BJP and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for their response to the Karur stampede, alleging that the Centre's actions are politically motivated and lack genuine concern for the state.

Addressing a public event in Ramanathapuram, Stalin questioned why similar visits and inquiry commissions were not dispatched to other tragic incidents such as the Manipur ethnic violence, the Gujarat bridge collapse, and the Kumbh Mela stampede in Prayagraj.

He remarked, "When Tamil Nadu was struck by three major disasters, affecting thousands of people, the Union BJP Finance Minister neither visited nor provided any funds. But now, she immediately rushes to Karur. The BJP, which did not send inquiry commissions for the Manipur riots, Gujarat incidents, or the Kumbh Mela deaths, is now promptly sending a team to Karur, not out of any genuine concern for Tamil Nadu, but simply because elections are due next year."

The stampede in Karur on September 27 during TVK chief and actor Vijay's rally killed 41.

Stalin accused the BJP of attempting to extract political mileage from the incident, stating, "The BJP is in a position where it survives by sucking someone else's blood." He further alleged that the party might "use it to threaten someone," intensifying his criticism of the Centre's approach to Tamil Nadu.

The Chief Minister also targeted the AIADMK, accusing it of aligning with a party that undermines state interests. "The Union BJP, which neglects state interests, strips away state rights, and even thinks states should not exist, is being supported by the AIADMK. As the opposition, instead of standing firm, AIADMK has signed a bond of slavery with the BJP and reduced itself to a mere puppet. Does the BJP have an ideological basis for its support? Any grounds of public welfare? Any concern for people's interests? Or are they at least bound by any principle? Nothing at all," PTI quoted him as saying.

Stalin went on to describe the BJP as a "washing machine" for individuals seeking to evade accountability, asserting, "Those who are guilty and want to escape from their wrongdoings see the BJP as a washing machine to cleanse their wrongdoings." He characterized the party as the "political arm and power centre" of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), claiming it enforces divisive policies nationwide.

In a pointed attack on the RSS, Stalin alleged, "RSS tried to murder the great leader Kamarajar, during its centenary, and has only intensified its divisive activities." He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to the Dravidian Model, stating, "This mission will continue under the Dravidian Model 2.0. In the upcoming elections too, it will once again be the Dravidian Model government that wins and continues to rule."