Chennai Stalin presses UCC to clarify stand on EPS

Chennai, April 13:
DMK Chief Minister and President M.K. Stalin has intensified his attack on Edappadi K. Palaniswami. He demanded that the AIADMK clarify its stand on contentious national issues like the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), which he described as “anti-minority.” He alleged that the opposition party’s silence was due to its alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Addressing a campaign meeting in Paramakudi, Stalin accused the AIADMK of acting as a “facilitator” for the BJP’s entry into Tamil Nadu. He said that while the BJP has promised to implement the UCC in other states, it has refrained from openly pursuing this agenda in Tamil Nadu due to the state’s strong Dravidian ideological base.
Periyar E.V. Ramasamy, C.N. Recalling the legacy of leaders like Annadurai and M. Karunanidhi, Stalin said that Tamil Nadu’s political culture has historically opposed religion-based politics. He said that voters are unlikely to support forces perceived as undermining social justice.
Describing the electoral contest as a contest between “Team Tamil Nadu and Team Delhi,” Stalin appealed to voters to protect the state’s autonomy and ideological identity.
Emphasizing governance, Stalin said that under his leadership, Tamil Nadu has emerged strongly from the COVID-19 crisis. He claimed that the state recorded an economic growth rate of 11.19 percent, but stressed that further progress is needed to create a distinct development model.
Talking about center-state relations, Stalin criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his inaction on the fishermen issue involving Sri Lanka. Questioning the Centre’s response, he asked why Indian fishermen were facing arrests and hardships at the hands of the Sri Lankan Navy.
He also reiterated the demand for the recapture of Katchatheevu and greater security for fishermen, noting that the state had passed resolutions in the Assembly and made repeated representations without any concrete results. Furthering his criticism of Palaniswami, Stalin questioned whether the AIADMK leader had opposed key BJP policies such as the UCC, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the three-language policy, and delimitation.
Alleging that Tamil Nadu’s interests were being compromised for political convenience, Stalin said the state’s rights should not be “mortgaged” and appealed to voters to support a larger fight for Tamil Nadu’s future, not just an electoral contest.