FM Nirmala Sitharaman says DMK 'feeling insecure because of Vijay'

The government ‘was in favor of and is still in favor of always a strong rupee’ and is not indifferent to the rupee-dollar exchange rate, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in her first post-budget interview with Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi.

• Sitharaman says DMK is insecure over NDA's rise and Vijay's political entry
• She dismisses claims that Centre ignores Tamil Nadu, citing major allocations
• Congress lacks independent standing in Tamil Nadu, relies on DMK for support

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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday commented on the political landscape of Tamil Nadu in an exclusive interview with Network18 Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi, saying the ruling DMK was showing signs of insecurity, including over the rise of actor-turned-politician Vijay.

“If he is a threat to the ruling DMK, I shouldn’t be worried. DMK being worried with Vijay, I can understand. DMK is feeling insecure because the NDA is coming up. Where is the Congress in Tamil Nadu? Today, the Congress in TN is a divided house,” Sitharaman said.

Responding to Chief Minister MK Stalin’s claim that Tamil Nadu has been ignored by the Centre, Sitharaman dismissed the allegation as a “sad commentary” and cited multiple budgetary allocations and infrastructure initiatives benefiting the state.

“Sad commentary. Super-fast trains, high-speed trains, is that not happening? Kerala and Tamil Nadu are election-bound states. Coconut farmers will benefit from budget measures. Rare earth corridors will benefit both Tamil Nadu and Kerala,” she said.

Highlighting central spending, the finance minister pointed to allocations under key schemes. “Look at the allocation of VB G Ram G Act. Rs 95,000 crore has been given. The MNREGA component has received Rs 30,000 crore. The total allocation is Rs 125,000 crore. Does it not benefit Tamil Nadu and Kerala?” she asked.

She also underscored industrial investments in the state, particularly in advanced manufacturing. “Semiconductor and electronics (which have been given Rs 40,000 crore), are these not in Tamil Nadu?” Sitharaman said, adding that the state’s ruling party was driven by ideology rather than facts. “The Tamil Nadu ruling party suffers from a completely separatist mindset.”

Aiming for the Congress, Sitharaman said the party had long lost its independent political standing in Tamil Nadu. “Congress party lost power in TN 60 years ago. Standing on the crutches with support from DMK,” she said.