Selvaperunthagai takes indirect swipe at AIADMK's 'silence' against BJP over fund cuts, NEP

CHENNAI: Amidst the ongoing dispute over language policy and the National Education Policy (NEP) between the State government and the BJP-led Union Government, Congress floor leader Selvaperunthagai on Thursday said that the DMK government has been relentlessly fighting for State autonomy and its rights on various issues, despite the BJP government withholding funds.

The Congress leader questioned why certain political forces have remained “silent” on the matter and wondered why they are not voicing their support for state rights.

In a veiled attack at principal opposition AIADMK, which is cornering its arch-rival DMK over a growing debt of the State, Selvaperunthagai stated that those who are questioning the incumbent over the State’s debt had not directed the same questions towards the Union government for not releasing due share for education and the MGNREGS. He pointed out that the Union minister had referred to the parliamentarian from Tamil Nadu as “uncivilised” for demanding the State’s rights.

Though the then TN government rejected the Navodaya schools promoted by the Narasimha Rao-led Congress government, the then Union government did not withhold the funds for the State, he said.

The opposition here, he noted, did not raise their voice against the Union minister for calling representatives of TN with a culture that dates back more than 3,500 years “uncultured.” He was referring to Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s recent remark in Parliament. “Despite pointing out the lack of support and funds from the BJP government, the opposition continues to question the TN government,” he added.