Nirmala Sitharaman rejects MK Stalin’s Tamil Nadu neglected claim, calls it ‘sad commentary’

The total value of gold held by RBI stood at Rs 360,884 crore as on December 26.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday rejected Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s claim that the state has been ignored, in an exclusive interview with Network18 Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi.

Calling the charge a “sad commentary,” she said recent budgetary allocations and infrastructure projects directly benefit Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Sitharaman pointed to major spending on railways, rural employment, and industrial sectors as evidence of the Centre’s support.

“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 allocations, the finance minister said, “Look at the allocation of VB G Ram G Act. Rs 95,000 crore have been given. The MNREGA component has got Rs 30,000 crore. The total allocation is Rs 125,000 crore. Does it not benefit Tamil Nadu and Kerala?”

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

Taking aim at the Congress, Sitharaman said the party had been politically irrelevant in the state for decades. “Congress party lost power in TN 60 years ago. Standing on the crutches with support from DMK,” she said.

Commenting on the political landscape in Tamil Nadu, the finance minister said, “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 of the NDA is coming up. Where’s is the Congress in Tamil Nadu. Today the Congress in TN is a divided house.”