The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) launched a blistering counterattack against Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday, denouncing his criticism of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin and the party’s opposition to the contentious 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill. DMK Deputy General Secretary and Lok Sabha MP A Raja accused Shah of hypocrisy, alleging the bill, which allows the removal of prime ministers, chief ministers, and ministers arrested on serious criminal charges for 30 days, is a tool to target political rivals.

Speaking in response to Shah’s remarks at a BJP meeting in Tirunelveli, where he labeled Stalin’s description of the bill as a “black bill” as unjustified, Raja questioned the integrity of the Modi-led cabinet. “Twenty-eight BJP ministers face criminal cases, and 39% of the cabinet has a criminal background. Will this law apply to them?” Raja challenged in a DMK statement, calling the bill an “autocratic” move to eliminate opposition leaders. He argued that Stalin’s vocal opposition had rattled Shah, prompting a “bag of lies” to deflect scrutiny.

Raja also mocked Shah’s invocation of the Thirukkural, a revered Tamil text, during his address, suggesting it was a hollow attempt to win votes in Tamil Nadu. “Quoting Thirukkural won’t sway voters here,” Raja quipped, emphasizing the DMK’s deep-rooted connection to Tamil culture and governance. He further criticized Shah for branding the DMK government as the “most corrupt” in India, pointing out the BJP’s inconsistent stance. Shah had made similar accusations against the AIADMK governments in 2016 and 2018, yet the BJP now allies with the Edappadi K Palaniswami-led AIADMK, Raja noted, questioning the alliance’s motives.

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The DMK’s sharp rebuttal underscores rising tensions between the ruling Tamil Nadu party and the BJP, with the controversial bill fueling a broader debate on political accountability and federal overreach. As the opposition unites against the legislation, the DMK’s defiance signals a fierce battle ahead in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.

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