‘Only Bihari unhappy in Tamil Nadu is Guv Ravi’: Udhayanidhi's swipe at PM Modi amid SIR controversy

Udhayanidhi alleged that the BJP was “deliberately using” the SIR process to manipulate the electoral landscape.

The political row over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise escalated on Sunday, with Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin launching a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. He accused the Centre of using the SIR as a political tool to “snatch minority votes” and “create divisions among states” ahead of the upcoming elections.

Speaking to reporters, Udhayanidhi alleged that the BJP was “deliberately using” the SIR process to manipulate the electoral landscape. “The BJP’s SIR initiative is nothing but a political move to mislead people and divide communities. The Prime Minister is trying to incite a fight among states for his own political gain,” he said.

Responding to PM Modi’s recent comments alleging harassment of Bihari workers in Tamil Nadu, the DMK leader took a swipe, saying, “The only Bihari who is unhappy in Tamil Nadu is Governor RN Ravi.”

Early on November 2, the Deputy Chief Minister had reiterated his party’s firm opposition to the SIR, claiming that similar tactics had been witnessed during the Bihar elections.

“We have continuously opposed this SIR. We have seen what they did in Bihar. With elections just a few months away, we believe this exercise is being done intentionally to capture power in Tamil Nadu,” he had said in an interview with ANI.

Udhayanidhi also announced that Chief Minister MK Stalin has convened an all-party meeting to discuss the issue and chart a collective response. “Our Chief Minister has invited leaders from all parties to share their views. After hearing everyone, he will take an appropriate decision,” he said.

The second phase of the SIR, covering 12 states and union territories, was recently announced, triggering political backlash from several opposition-ruled states, including Tamil Nadu, which has termed the move an attempt by the Centre to interfere in state affairs.