Latest news with #Stalin
NDTV
an hour ago
- Politics
- NDTV
MK Stalin Asks PM Modi To Intervene In Katchatheevu Dispute, BJP Hits Back
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has renewed his call for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's direct intervention to resolve the long-standing Katchatheevu dispute and secure the release of Indian fishermen and boats detained in Sri Lankan prisons. In a sharp attack, Mr Stalin alleged that the BJP-led central government has failed to protect Tamil Nadu's fishermen over the past 10 years, while simultaneously politicising the Katchatheevu issue without taking tangible action. "Only a direct intervention by the Prime Minister can bring a lasting solution for Tamil fishermen," Mr Stalin asserted, questioning why External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has not rebutted Sri Lanka's recent claims on the issue. The Chief Minister referred to Sri Lankan Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda's remarks that Tamil Nadu fishermen frequently trespass and that Colombo would not return the Katchatheevu island. Mr Stalin criticised the Centre for remaining silent in the face of these claims. He also pointed out that the Tamil Nadu Assembly has already passed a resolution demanding the retrieval of Katchatheevu and claimed that he has personally raised the issue with the Prime Minister on multiple occasions. "The DMK government will continue its efforts to retrieve Katchatheevu," he said. In response, BJP spokesperson Narayan Tirupathy hit back, saying it was under the Congress regime at the Centre and DMK's rule in Tamil Nadu that Katchatheevu was ceded to Sri Lanka in 1974. "DMK did nothing when they shared power at the Centre for 14 years," said Mr Tirupathy. "We have ensured no firing by the Lankan Navy, unlike in Congress rule, where nearly 1,000 fishermen were killed. We've even saved a fisherman from a death sentence." For a specific question on Lanka auctioning seized Indian fishing boats and crippling the livelihood of Indian fishermen, Mr Tirupathy said, "We have held several rounds of talks between affected Lankan Tamil fishermen and Indian Tamil fishermen. Unless you talk with them and find a solution, it's not going to end. I think we are on the right track". Meanwhile, maritime and diplomacy experts have warned that retrieving Katchatheevu alone may not resolve the issue. The real problem, they say, is the depletion of fish stocks in Indian waters, forcing fishermen to deliberately venture into Sri Lankan territory. They recommend that India consider negotiating a long-term lease or fishing rights agreement with Sri Lanka, rather than fixating solely on territorial control of Katchatheevu. As tensions rise over the island, the issue is set to be a major political flashpoint in Tamil Nadu ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.
Deccan Herald
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Stalin alleges Palaniswami mortaged AIADMK with Amit Shah to save his family from 'raid'
In his address at a government function here, Stalin referred to the launch of the outreach programme, 'Ungaludan Stalin' (Stalin with you) on July 15 and its objective.
The Hindu
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
2026 Tamil Nadu elections will mark a permanent farewell to Edappadi Palaniswami: CM Stalin
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday (July 16, 2025) said the upcoming State Assembly elections would mark a permanent farewell to AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami, alleging that even members of his own party no longer trust him. Mr. Stalin made the remarks while launching and inaugurating completed development projects and distributing welfare assistance in Mayiladuthurai district, during which he expressed criticism of both the AIADMK and BJP-led Union government. Responding to Mr. Palaniswami's criticism of the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme, Mr. Stalin said, 'He is unable to accept the scheme's success. His criticisms only serve to advertise our achievements. We implement this scheme without bias; even women from AIADMK families benefit.' He accused Mr. Palaniswami of reversing welfare progress during his tenure, pointing to the cancellation of the Moovalur Ramamirtham marriage assistance scheme and the free laptop distribution programme. 'Mr. Palaniswami says 'Tata, bye bye' to me. But since 2019, the people of Tamil Nadu have been saying the same to him. In the upcoming elections, it will be a permanent goodbye,' Mr. Stalin remarked. 'Even his own party cadres no longer believe in him.' Taking aim at Mr. Palaniswami's outreach to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Mr. Stalin alleged, that the AIADMK leader had knocked on Delhi's doors not for the people of Tamil Nadu but to escape raids and protect his family. 'He mortgaged a party built by lakhs of cadre,' Mr. Stalin alleged. On the issue of Tamil Nadu fishermen's frequent arrests by Sri Lankan authorities, Mr. Stalin criticised the Union government for political inaction. 'The BJP-led Union government has failed to act, while continuing to politicise the Katchatheevu issue. The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister clearly said the Tamil Nadu fishermen are intruding into their waters and that Katchatheevu will never be returned. And what has our External Affairs Minister said in response? Nothing.' Mr. Stalin reiterated his demand for the Prime Minister to directly intervene and bring a lasting solution to the issue. Mr. Stalin declared that the next government at the Centre would be a 'Dravidian Model 2.0 government', one that would serve as a national benchmark for inclusive and progressive governance. Earlier in the day, Mr. Stalin unveiled a statue of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi at Vazhuvur village in Kuthalam taluk. He also held a brief roadshow near Dharmapuram, where he greeted school and college students as well as members of the general public.
India Today
7 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
MK Stalin renews call to retrieve Katchatheevu island, slams Centre's inaction
Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday reiterated that the Tamil Nadu government is actively pursuing the retrieval of Katchatheevu island from Sri Lanka. He said he has repeatedly urged the Prime Minister to address the issue in the interest of Tamil Nadu's at a public event in Mayiladuthurai, Stalin said: 'Our government is taking all necessary steps towards retrieval of Katchatheevu. Whenever I meet the Prime Minister, I reiterate the need to retrieve Katchatheevu to bring about a permanent solution to the fishermen issue. We have in fact passed a resolution in the Assembly for the same.' He added that the State continues to urge the Union government to secure the release of Tamil Nadu fishermen who remain in Sri Lankan prisons along with their aim at the BJP-led Centre, Stalin said: 'The Union BJP government, which does not bother about Tamil Nadu and our fishermen, is only politicising the Katchatheevu matter.' He noted that treaties with foreign countries fall under the purview of the Union government and questioned the BJP's inaction over the past decade. 'What has the BJP government at the Centre done in the last ten years to retrieve Katchatheevu? Have they at least stopped the arrest of Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities? No,' the Chief Minister also referred to recent remarks made by the Sri Lankan External Affairs Minister, who claimed that Tamil Nadu fishermen were trespassing into Sri Lankan waters and asserted Sri Lanka's ownership over Katchatheevu. 'Our External Affairs Minister Jaishankar has not so far given rebuttal to this,' Stalin appealed to the Prime Minister to directly intervene and bring about a resolution. 'Our state government and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) will continue its fight for this,' he said.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Tamil Nadu
The Hindu
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
2026 Tamil Nadu elections will mark a permanent farewell to Edappadi Palaniswami: M.K. Stalin
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday (July 16, 2025) said the upcoming State Assembly elections would mark a permanent farewell to AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami, alleging that even members of his own party no longer trust him. Mr. Stalin made the remarks while launching and inaugurating completed development projects and distributing welfare assistance in Mayiladuthurai district, during which he expressed criticism of both the AIADMK and BJP-led Union government. Responding to Mr. Palaniswami's criticism of the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme, Mr. Stalin said, 'He is unable to accept the scheme's success. His criticisms only serve to advertise our achievements. We implement this scheme without bias; even women from AIADMK families benefit.' He accused Mr. Palaniswami of reversing welfare progress during his tenure, pointing to the cancellation of the Moovalur Ramamirtham marriage assistance scheme and the free laptop distribution programme. 'Mr. Palaniswami says 'Tata, bye bye' to me. But since 2019, the people of Tamil Nadu have been saying the same to him. In the upcoming elections, it will be a permanent goodbye,' Mr. Stalin remarked. 'Even his own party cadres no longer believe in him.' Taking aim at Mr. Palaniswami's outreach to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Mr. Stalin alleged, that the AIADMK leader had knocked on Delhi's doors not for the people of Tamil Nadu but to escape raids and protect his family. 'He mortgaged a party built by lakhs of cadre,' Mr. Stalin alleged. On the issue of Tamil Nadu fishermen's frequent arrests by Sri Lankan authorities, Mr. Stalin criticised the Union government for political inaction. 'The BJP-led Union government has failed to act, while continuing to politicise the Katchatheevu issue. The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister clearly said the Tamil Nadu fishermen are intruding into their waters and that Katchatheevu will never be returned. And what has our External Affairs Minister said in response? Nothing.' Mr. Stalin reiterated his demand for the Prime Minister to directly intervene and bring a lasting solution to the issue. Mr. Stalin declared that the next government at the Centre would be a 'Dravidian Model 2.0 government', one that would serve as a national benchmark for inclusive and progressive governance. Earlier in the day, Mr. Stalin unveiled a statue of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi at Vazhuvur village in Kuthalam taluk. He also held a brief roadshow near Dharmapuram, where he greeted school and college students as well as members of the general public.
