Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu attacks Centre for remaining “adamant” in refusing funds, cites historical rejection of Northern domination

CHENNAI: Referring to Tamil Nadu's spiritual literature, which recounts the legend of Lord Sivaperuman helping the people overcome famine, Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu on Friday said present situation is the stark contrast to those days and criticised the BJP-led Union government for being 'adamant' and refusing to release funds to the people of Tamil Nadu, regardless of their suffering.

Lord Sivaperuman gave gold coins to help the people free themselves from the clutches of famine, following Thirugnanasambandar’s emotive poem, which called for an end to their suffering, the minister said and cited that the poetic expression has been recorded in spiritual literature.

“Though he was a god, he rushed to the aid of the people of the state to relieve their suffering and helped them. But the situation is different now. No matter how much the people of the state suffer, and even if God himself were to come and help them, the Union government remains adamant in refusing to release a single penny,” the minister said during his reply to the debate on budget for 2025-2026. The minister remarked that, even if God were to aid the people of the state, the present government at the Centre remains stubborn and refuses to release the state's rightful share of funds, taking a direct dig at the saffron party, amidst thumping of tables on the treasury benches.

The minister sharpened his attack further on the saffron party-led government at the centre, stating that while it did release funds for the MGNREGA scheme to pay wages to women, who worked tirelessly under the scorching sun.

“Till now, they have not released funds to disburse wages for the workers, nor are they releasing funds to support our children’s education,” he added and continued, stating that the Union government was demanding the TN government sign an agreement in line with its policies to receive the appropriate funds. However, Chief Minister M K Stalin has made the government’s stance clear by declaring even if TN loses Rs 10,000 crore, it will not comply with the BJP government’s policies (National Education Policy)

The CM’s approach reflects the state’s history, emphasising that it has never bowed to dominance from the North. He further remarked that from Alexander the Great to Alagmir, who declared himself Emperor of the Universe, and Chhatrapati Shivaji, none of them conquered Tamil Nadu or set foot on its land. This prompted members of the treasury benches and their allies to react by thumping the tables.

He also made a veiled attack on Governor R N Ravi, who has been maintaining a hostile relationship with the state government, recalling the days of Sir Charles Edward Trevelyan, who served as Governor of Madras province in the British era. When the Government of India ordered an increase in the duty on salt, Governor Trevelyan dissuaded the Indian government and offered an alternative idea that considered the welfare of the people. “We must note that at one time, all the Governors in Chennai were offering good advice to the government in Delhi,” he said, prompting laughter in the house.