BJP MLA Vanathi lauds TN govt, CM Stalin uses moment to critique PM Modi

CHENNAI: BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan stated that Tamil Nadu’s law and order performance should not be compared with north Indian states but rather with Scandinavian countries, allowing parity.

Speaking in the Assembly, Vanathi said that Tamil Nadu has historically and traditionally maintained a higher growth rate and should be compared with developed nations, not the northern states. “We should look beyond political and ideological differences. The north Indian states are witnessing growth only in recent years,” she reiterated.

The Coimbatore (South) MLA made the remarks in response to Minister for Law S Regupathy’s comment that the law and order situation in BJP-ruled northern states is worse. The minister countered Vanathi when she flagged issues related to women's safety and the rise in crimes against women.

Meanwhile, the Leader of the House, Duraimurugan, stated that a woman was gang-raped by a group of 23 men in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, and added that even Lord Ram could not prevent the abduction of Sita in the Ramayana. This, he said, indicates that criminal elements exist in every society, but what truly matters is how a government responds and implements effective measures. He said the DMK government under Chief Minister M K Stalin acts swiftly and decisively against criminal elements.

Joining the debate, Chief Minister M K Stalin appreciated the MLA for her remarks, encouraging a comparison of TN with developed countries. He used the opportunity to take a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that everyone is aware of the situation in several BJP-ruled states. However, the PM did not visit the states, he said, alluding to the terror attack in Pahalgam in Kashmir and ethnic violence in Manipur.

“Without criticising the lack of security in Kashmir, we have extended full support to the Union Government to counter the Pahalgam terror attack,” he said and asserted that the state government would never allow extremist forces to gain a foothold in the state, in response to the BJP MLA’s demand to form special units to prevent youth from being radicalised. She also raised security risks over Bangladeshi guest workers in Coimbatore and Tirupur.