During a public meeting in Madurai on Tuesday, DMK president and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin raised questions about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visits to Tamil Nadu, likening the state to a bird sanctuary where Modi only arrives during election seasons.

Addressing the crowd in support of CPI(M)’s Lok Sabha candidate for Madurai, Su. Venkatesan, and Congress candidate for Sivaganga, Karti Chidambaram, Stalin questioned Modi’s intentions behind seeking votes in Tamil Nadu and criticized the lack of significant contributions from the Centre towards the state’s development.

Stalin voiced concerns over the perceived neglect of Tamil Nadu by the central government, highlighting issues of financial relief sought by opposition-ruled states like Kerala and Karnataka, and the alleged misuse of central agencies and governors against opposition-led governments. He accused the BJP-led Union government of employing tactics to suppress dissent and target opposition leaders through agencies like the Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax Department, and Central Bureau of Investigation.

Drawing attention to Modi’s rhetoric on women empowerment, Stalin pointed out instances where Modi remained silent on matters of sexual harassment and violence against women, questioning his commitment to the cause. He cited examples such as the protest by women wrestlers in Delhi, the remission granted to perpetrators of sexual assault in Gujarat, and the lack of engagement with victims of ethnic violence in Manipur.

Modi claims that the DMK alliance is against religion. We are not against any religion but only against those who divide people on the basis of religion. We have conducted consecration ceremonies in temples, retrieved temple lands, ensured that qualified persons belonging to any community can become priests and Tamil is used in temples, implemented annadhanam scheme and set up health centres in temples, he said.