BJP Dismisses Tamil Nadu’s Funds Denied Claim: “PM Has No Time for Petty Politics”

Tamil Nadu’s Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu has ignited a political firestorm, accusing the Narendra Modi-led Union government of systematically denying the state its rightful share of funds while favoring BJP-ruled states. In a fiery address to the state assembly, Thennarasu demanded answers to ten pointed questions, alleging "deliberate discrimination" and a betrayal of cooperative federalism that undermines Tamil Nadu’s development. The accusations have sparked a heated response from the BJP, escalating tensions over fiscal fairness in India’s federal structure.

Thennarasu painted a grim picture of the Centre’s fiscal policies, claiming Tamil Nadu, one of India’s most progressive and economically vibrant states, is being unfairly penalized for its efficiency. He highlighted a steep decline in the state’s share of central taxes, alongside significant shortfalls in funding for critical sectors like education and infrastructure. “The Centre has withheld nearly Rs 4,000 crore in education funds, releasing only Rs 450 crore under the Right to Education scheme,” Thennarasu said, questioning the Modi government’s commitment to its “Viksit Bharat” vision. He further noted that Tamil Nadu is owed Rs 3,407 crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission for drinking water projects, funds critical to addressing the state’s basic needs.

The minister also accused the Centre of a “selective approach” to infrastructure development, pointing out that none of the eight new expressways announced by the Union government have been allocated to Tamil Nadu. In contrast, he claimed states like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra have secured the lion’s share of major highway projects. On railway funding, Thennarasu revealed a stark disparity: Uttar Pradesh received Rs 19,858 crore for the current year alone, while Tamil Nadu was granted just Rs 19,068 crore over three years. He also criticized the Centre for delaying metro rail projects in Madurai and Coimbatore, while approving multiple metro projects in Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) owes Tamil Nadu a staggering Rs 81,803 crore, further stalling the state’s development.

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Thennarasu’s ten questions to PM Modi zeroed in on issues like the drop in Tamil Nadu’s tax share, delayed GST compensation, pending NHAI dues, and cuts in central scheme allocations. He also raised concerns about delays in World Bank and ADB-assisted projects, the absence of new industrial corridors, and restrictive state borrowing limits. “Tamil Nadu is not begging for favors; we demand fiscal justice as our constitutional right,” he declared, vowing to continue the state’s fight against perceived inequities. The minister warned that Tamil Nadu would not remain silent in the face of what he called a deliberate erosion of cooperative federalism.

The BJP, however, dismissed these allegations as baseless political posturing. Tamil Nadu BJP Vice President Jayaprakash told NDTV that PM Modi views India as a unified whole and has no time for “petty politics” targeting opposition-ruled states. He urged Thennarasu to compare Tamil Nadu’s funding with other developed states like Karnataka or Maharashtra, rather than a developing state like Uttar Pradesh, calling the minister’s comparisons “like apples and oranges.” Jayaprakash defended the Centre’s allocations, arguing that Tamil Nadu’s claims of discrimination were exaggerated and aimed at stirring political unrest.

As the dispute unfolds, Tamil Nadu’s residents are caught in the crossfire of this fiscal feud. With critical projects stalled and funds allegedly withheld, the state’s development agenda hangs in the balance. Thennarasu’s sharp critique and the BJP’s swift rebuttal highlight deep-seated tensions in India’s federal framework, raising questions about equitable resource distribution. As the state vows to amplify its voice, the Centre’s response to these allegations will be closely watched, with implications for both Tamil Nadu’s future and the broader dynamics of cooperative federalism in India.

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