The Dravidianists’ favourite punching bag, Adani group has been making the news recently. The Adani Group has entered into memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to invest more than ₹42,700 crore in Tamil Nadu during the Global Investors Meet 2024. The most substantial investment, totaling ₹24,500 crore, is earmarked for three pump storage projects (PSP) by Adani Green Energy Ltd over the next 5-7 years.
At such a time, videos of DMK minister and son of Chief Minister Stalin, Udhayanidhi Stalin, who attacked Prime Minister Modi for his “close friendship” with Adani started surfacing.
Speaking at a Youth Wing members programme in Pudukottai in August 2023, Udhayanidhi Stalin addressing Prime Minister Modi said, “There was only one man who is doing well during your (Modi) 9-year tenure. Your dearest friend, Adani.”
He continued, “Who is this Adani? Mr Modi’s closest friend. You know Mr. Modi is always touring. He will be outside the country more rather than in India. I always say this. Mr. Modi, you are travelling by aircraft, you would travel without a pilot but never without Adani. He is so close to him. He has handed over all existing public sector companies to Adani.”
Modi will fly even without a pilot but not without his close friend Adani. Udhayanna mass speech..🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/JDtG9A6eBe
— Vishwatma 🇮🇳 (@HLKodo) January 8, 2024
The Adani Group has a significant footprint in Tamil Nadu across various rapidly advancing sectors, encompassing ports and logistics, edible oil, power transmission, city gas distribution, data centers, green energy, and cement manufacturing.
Through its integrated ports and logistics company, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, the group currently manages the Kattupalli and Ennore Ports. In Tiruvallur district alone, Adani Ports has invested a substantial sum of ₹3,733 crore. These two ports collectively serve the hinterland in the Chennai and Sri City regions, strategically positioned to fulfill the region’s export-import (exim) requirements.
Udhayanidhi Stalin has time and again demonised Adani and the business. In September 2023, when he was in the news for his remarks against Sanathana Dharma, he said, “Have they built the AIIMS in Madurai? Did they take forward any knowledge movement like the Kalaignar Centenary Library? Afraid of having to face questions about Manipur in India, he is globe-trotting along with his friend Adani.”
In October 2023, addressing a party worker meeting, he said, “While Mr. Modi was working overtime for the phenomenal growth of the ‘Adani Empire’ instead of working for all Indians, the DMK was working for the Tamils, Tamil Nadu, and their progress.”
In December 2023, addressing the Youth Wing in Nilgiris, he said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has handed over the country to his friend Adani.”
In December 2023, addressing a party function in Udhagamandalam, Udhayanidhi Stalin said, “I only spoke about equality in my speech,” referring to his speech on Sanathana Dharma, “but Mr. Modi made it a talking point across the country, and also said that only one family was living well in Tamil Nadu,” he said. “There are now Adani railways, Adani airports, roads, and even stadiums. So only one family in India is living well and that is the Adanis.”
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