CM disputes claim on Central funds for T.N.

He said that the second aspect was the fund allocation for the schemes implemented directly by the Centre in a State.

Mr. Stalin alleged that on this aspect, the BJP had shown a false account. “They have included ₹1,960 crore for Madurai AIIMS, where there is no development. They have not allocated any funds for Phase II of the Chennai Metro Rail project, but have shown the project’s cost — ₹63,246 crore. They have also included ₹2 lakh crore for the Sagarmala project,” he said.

“Will the BJP Ministers explain how much of these funds has been spent in Tamil Nadu and how much has been released,” Mr. Stalin asked.

“Another lie is that they have shown loans to the tune of ₹2.5 lakh crore, availed by small traders from banks, as funds granted by the government,” he said.

“How many lies can the country withstand? Aren’t our ears in need of mercy,” Mr. Stalin asked.

Meanwhile, the DMK citied Central government data to counter remarks by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers and the AIADMK on Tamil Nadu’s growth.

The data released by NIRYAT – National Import Export Record for the Yearly Analysis of Trade, which functions under the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Trade and Industry, show that in 202223, Tamil Nadu was the leading State for exports of textile goods, accounting for 22.58% of the country’s exports, the DMK said.

The State had also topped in readymade garments and leather goods exports, it said.

The statistics were a big victory for Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s Dravidian model government, and showed that the Opposition leaders were peddling lies, the DMK said.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister alleged that the BJP was intent on dismantling the Constitution.

“With a voracious appetite for regression, they plot to thrust our nation back by two centuries,” he said, in a post on ◣ (formerly Twitter).

India was set to witness the most critical election in its history. It was the solemn duty of every citizen to safeguard the beacon of democracy ignited by the revolutionary Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Mr. Stalin said, on the occasion of Ambedkar’s birth anniversary.

“We must rally behind the profound wisdom and enduring spirit of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the newage Buddha, to secure a truly egalitarian society,” he said.