On 2 January 2024, in a notable address preceding Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Tirchy, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin voiced a series of key demands, urging for the elevation of Madurai Airport to international status. He pressed for the immediate initiation of direct flight services connecting Chennai to Penang and Chennai to Tokyo, emphasizing the sizable Tamil diaspora in both Malaysia and Tokyo. Stalin also underscored the necessity for increased central support to propel the Chennai Metro Rail project and expedite the projects of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in Tamil Nadu.
However, amidst these calls for development, Stalin expressed concern over the decline in orders from the public sector heavyweight, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), managed by the Central government, to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the state. Particularly, he pointed out the adverse impact on micro industries in the Trichy area.
Responding to Stalin’s grievances, Tamil Nadu BJP chief Annamalai took to Twitter to counter the accusations. He referenced a past decision by CM Stalin, alleging that in 2021, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister chaired an Energy department meeting and reinstated a contract to BGR Energy, a company that had previously shown little progress in its work. Annamalai highlighted that the other bidder for the contract, BHEL, was not considered by the Tamil Nadu government, raising questions about the selection criteria.
Moreover, Annamalai brought attention to the fact that BHEL Trade Unions have filed a case in the Madras High Court, urging a CBI probe into the reinstatement of the contract with BGR Energy. The BJP chief accused the DMK government of supporting a financially troubled company like BGR Energy with a substantial contract worth ₹4442 Crores, only for the Chief Minister to later express sympathy for MSMEs affected by the reduced orders from BHEL.
Annamalai underscored the apparent contradiction, accusing CM MK Stalin of shedding “crocodile tears” and playing manipulative tricks in refusing contracts for BHEL while allegedly favoring BGR Energy for personal monetary gains. The TNBJP chief reminded the public of a tweet from August 2023, where he previously accused the DMK government of awarding the TANGEDCO contract to BGR Energy despite its reported lack of development.
Today, TN CM Thiru @mkstalin on the stage after our Hon PM Thiru @narendramodi avl Inaugurated/laid foundation for projects worth ₹20,000 Crores in Trichy, said that the MSMEs dependent on BHEL are short of orders, unlike earlier times.
TN CM Thiru @mkstalin, in 2021, chaired… https://t.co/0YEAJM8vYG
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) January 2, 2024
BGR Energy, a company whose promoters are believed to be backing the ruling DMK, was offered ₹4,442 crore deal by TANGEDCO violating all procedures.
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