Stalin rules out alignment with BJP, calls it ‘slavery’: 'Would cause more harm'

Stalin's DMK and AIADMK face each other in 122 constituencies

• Stalin says surrendering state rights to Centre is undemocratic
• He accuses Centre of bias against non-BJP ruled states
• DMK, AIADMK alliances lead Tamil Nadu election race

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Ahead of the Tamil Nadu assembly election, Chief Minister MK Stalin said it was against democratic principles to surrender state’s rights and adjust with the Centre.

In an interview with The Hindu, he said, “It is surprising that you think the BJP would do good to Tamil Nadu if we made such adjustments. It would not do any good; instead, it would cause more harm. It is slavery.”

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The CM also alleged that the Centre was “deliberately acting in a vindictive manner” towards the states ruled by non-BJP parties. “Mr. Modi, who is expected to function as the Prime Minister of all States, has reduced himself to being the Prime Minister of BJP-ruled states,” said Stalin.

The CM also called the BJP’s “double-engine’ slogan” misleading. “The BJP-ruled states have not achieved significant growth; they merely receive greater financial allocations. Even Union Government statistics show Tamil Nadu tops several growth indicators. We have demonstrated that a State can achieve progress without assistance from the Centre, and despite the obstacles created by it,” said the CM.

According to him, the BJP has implemented the Citizenship Amendment Act against minorities and enforced regulations such as the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act affecting Christian institutions.

“It is attempting to impose Hindi at the cost of regional languages, deny funds to non-BJP-ruled States, and run parallel administrations in States through Governors. The DMK is fighting to safeguard democracy, as the BJP government is acting against the fundamental principles of the Constitution. This is not merely a commitment to Tamil Nadu, but to the nation as a whole,” said Stalin.

He also dismissed the suggestion that the upcoming elections would be a “close” multi-cornered contest.

“The contest is essentially between the DMK alliance and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam alliance. Other parties lack the organisational strength and infrastructure to challenge us,” he told The Hindu.

The DMK and AIADMK face each other in 122 constituencies, including 12 of the 16 in Chennai, in the April 23 assembly election