BJP trying to divert attention from irregularities flagged by CAG: M K Stalin

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of resorting to “different kinds” of politics to divert people’s attention from irregularities to the tune of Rs 7.5 crore flagged by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) from the Ayodhya project to the Ayushman Bharat insurance scheme. 

In the second episode of his podcast series ‘Speaking for India’, Stalin claimed people have realised that Modi is someone who works against the poor, the downtrodden, Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes.  

“This has been proven by the defeat faced by BJP in the recent elections across various states of India. In the 2024 elections, the BJP must be defeated comprehensively. All the people of India must unite as one voice to put an end to the BJP's communal, divisive, authoritarian, and corporate-driven politics,” the DMK President said. 

He also took pot shots at Modi for not “delivering the promise” of depositing Rs 15 lakhs in the bank accounts of every Indian citizen after recovering black money stashed abroad, pointing to an interview of a beneficiary of his government’s scheme of providing Rs 1,000 per month to women broaching the topic.  

Contending that Modi “falsely projected” Gujarat as a “haven of prosperity” and “deceived people twice” in 2014 and in 2019, Stalin said India “should not be fooled” in 2024 and recalled the Prime Minister asking for 60 months to make India a developed nation". 

“The people of India have given him the opportunity to rule not only for 60 months – but also for another 60 months. Has he made us a developed country? That is the question he must answer. Can he list everything that India has achieved under his leadership in terms of development?” he asked. 

Recalling Modi harping on five Ts – Talent, Trading, Tradition, Tourism, and Technology -- as his prime objectives, Stalin said the BJP government is made up of five Cs – Communalism, Corruption, Corporate Capitalism, Cheating, and Character Assassination. 

“This is a rule of five Cs. This would be the befitting description. The BJP has managed to hide it through propaganda and advertisements until now. However, the newly formed INDIA Coalition and its leaders are now shedding light on this. It is tearing apart the BJP's facade, Prime Minister Modi's pomp and show are also exposed,” Stalin added.

Stalin said the CAG has flagged irregularities to the tune of Rs 7.5 lakh crore right from the Ayodhya project to the Ayushman Bharat scheme, but so far neither the Prime Minister nor the union ministers concerned have responded to this. “They cannot respond either,” he said.