Stalin insulted PM Modi, owes apology to Tamil Nadu: BJP's Annamalai slams CM for skipping Rameswaram event

NEW DELHI: The Tamil Nadu BJP on Sunday launched a scathing attack on chief minister M K Stalin, accusing him of “insulting” Prime Minister Narendra Modi by skipping his official programme in Rameswaram. The PM was in the coastal town to inaugurate several infrastructure projects, including the much-awaited new Pamban Bridge.
While Modi inaugurated development works worth over Rs 8,000 crore, CM Stalin was in Udhagamandalam (Ooty) to open a government hospital. He said he had informed the PM in advance about his unavailability and had deputed ministers Thangam Thennarasu and R S Raja Kannappan to represent the state.
“We have sought an appointment to present the memorandum on the delimitation. Since I am taking part in this government function, I have conveyed to the PM about my inability to take part in his meeting,” Stalin said in Ooty. “Through this meeting and through you, I hereby seek the Prime Minister to allay the fears of delimitation.”
The BJP, however, was not convinced. State party president K Annamalai called the chief minister’s explanation “unacceptable” and said the absence was deliberate and politically motivated.
“The Prime Minister did not go to New Delhi directly from Sri Lanka but came here to dedicate projects. That being the case, it is the primary duty of the CM to welcome the PM,” Annamalai said at a press briefing.
Mocking Stalin’s presence in the cooler climes of Ooty, Annamalai said, “He went to Ooty since it is hot in Rameswaram and he can't bear the heat.”
“The chief minister has failed in his constitutional duty. He has insulted the Prime Minister, who came to Tamil Nadu with the intention of launching development works for the benefit of the people,” the BJP leader charged. “He should apologise to the people of Tamil Nadu.”
Annamalai also dismissed Stalin’s concern over the delimitation process as “drama” and accused him of doing politics even during a central event meant for public welfare. BJP said the Centre has shown unwavering commitment to Tamil Nadu’s development, and Stalin’s absence was a disrespect to that effort.