Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has once again courted controversy during his recent visit to Coimbatore, where he publicly praised Electricity Minister V. Senthil Balaji, who is currently out on bail following his arrest on corruption charges. The praise comes after a viral video surfaced showing Stalin prioritizing Balaji over senior DMK leaders and long-serving ministers, including K.N. Nehru and P.T.R. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, raising eyebrows within the party.
At a government event on 5 November 2024, Stalin not only defended Balaji but also made remarks that seemed to rekindle the ongoing debate over the North-South divide. His comments have been widely criticized, with opponents accusing him of stoking regional tensions and prioritizing personal loyalties over broader party unity.
Speaking at the foundation stone-laying ceremony for a ₹300 crore mega library in Coimbatore, Stalin urged critics of the DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) to compare Tamil Nadu’s progress with that of a northern state over the past five decades. “We have not only uplifted the South, but today, the South is contributing generously to the North,” Stalin said, proudly highlighting the achievements of the state under DMK governance.
In a nod to the past, Stalin recalled the words of the late DMK founder C.N. Annadurai “Vadakku Vazhkirathu, therku Theikirathu” (The North is flourishing, while the South is declining). However, Stalin asserted that the situation had changed dramatically. “The South is no longer fading. Tamil Nadu has transformed into the second-largest economy in India, the most urbanized state, and a leader in implementing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. We are now excelling in every metric of growth; poverty alleviation, employment generation, infrastructure development, and industrial production,” he added.
Stalin emphasized that this transformation did not happen overnight. He credited it to a “people’s government” with a clear ideology, a vision, and a strategic plan to bring about change. According to Stalin, the DMK’s goal is not just to be in power but to realize its vision of a prosperous Tamil Nadu. “For the DMK, power is not the end goal, but a means to execute our vision for a glorious Tamil Nadu,” he stated.
Referring to the Dravidian model of governance, Stalin claimed it has been inclusive, serving both those who voted for the DMK and those who did not. He pointed out that the party’s popularity had grown in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections compared to the 2021 assembly polls, which he attributed to the increased criticism from political opponents. “The more they criticize us, the more we understand the impact of our work,” he remarked.
In his speech, Stalin also praised state electricity minister V. Senthil Balaji, who is out on bail, for his contributions to government initiatives. “Minister Senthil Balaji has made a comeback to better implement government schemes in Coimbatore. They made some obstacles in the middle after seeing his excellent and speedy activities. I don’t want to go into detail on this as it is a government program. However, he has broken all barriers and is back, it is sure that Senthil Balaji will continue to do well for Coimbatore.”
ஏழைகள் வயிற்றில் அடித்து, அவர்களிடம் வசூல் செய்து, ஏமாற்றி, சிறை சென்ற நபரை "கம்பேக் கொடுத்துள்ளார்" என்று இப்படி பாராட்டுகிறார் என்றால், கம்பேக் நபர் முதல்வருக்கு எவ்வளவு கொடுக்கிறார்? pic.twitter.com/NBN3YqmRAh
— Savukku Shankar (@SavukkuOfficial) November 6, 2024
However, Stalin’s decision to praise Senthil Balaji, who has been embroiled in a corruption case, has raised eyebrows. Critics have accused the Chief Minister of disregarding allegations of corruption, with some questioning the timing of his praise for Balaji amidst ongoing investigations.
Stalin’s comments on Tamil Nadu’s growth and governance have further intensified debates over the state’s political landscape, especially as the 2024 general elections approach. His remarks on the North-South divide and the DMK’s vision for the state have sparked both support and backlash, underscoring the ongoing political tensions in the state.
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