Lies and hatred will never win elections for BJP in Tamil Nadu, says Speaker Appavu

The BJP’s dream of winning elections in Tamil Nadu by spreading lies and hatred will never get realised as Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who has ensured able and corrupt-free governance will return to power again for his second term, Assembly Speaker M. Appavu has said.

When asked for his reaction on Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent remarks that the Stalin-led DMK government was the most corrupt in India, Mr. Appavu, after giving away free laptops to the students here on Monday evening, said there was no corruption in Tamil Nadu where people-friendly governance had been ensured. Hence, Mr. Amit Shah was spreading lies while his Cabinet colleagues and BJP office-bearers were spreading religious hatred in Tamil Nadu.

The Narendra Modi-led Union Government, which had given Rs. 36,000 crore in excess for Rafale jets after camping in France along with industrialist Anil Ambani had waived Rs. 16 lakh crore loans in favour of 50 corporate firms instead of giving similar benefit to the students, farmers, weavers and the self-help groups.

“If the Prime Minister had taken along with him the Defence Minister and the External Affairs Minister for clinching a defence deal, we can understand and accept it. What is the purpose behind taking along with him an industrialist for buying French fighter jets at exorbitantly inflated price? Will an inquiry commission be constituted to probe this usuriously inflated and murky deal? No one from the Union Government has moral rights to criticize the DMK government. Mr. Stalin will return to power for this second term after registering thumping victory,” Mr. Appavu said.

The Speaker said Tamil Nadu, the largest GST contributor to the Central exchequer was being given “raw deal and step-motherly treatment” by the Union Government by not releasing the due share to the State.

“While adamantly refusing to give the due share of GST to Tamil Nadu, the BJP and its ministers are spreading lies and hatred to create unrest in the State on religious grounds. But, the able administration of Mr. Stalin will ensure DMK’s resounding victory again and Mr. Amit Shah’s dream of NDA winning elections in Tamil Nadu will never materialize here,” Mr. Appavu said.

When asked about Congress MP Manickam Tagore’s demand for share in power, he said the leaders of the Congress and the DMK would take the right decision in this connection.