"We view the resolution as a separatist act": TN BJP President Nagenthiran on Stalin's pitch for more autonomy

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], April 15 (ANI): Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagenthiran on Tuesday slammed Chief Minister MK Stalin's resolution to appoint a high-level committee to recommend new State autonomy and retrieve the state's rights, calling it a "separatist act".
The state BJP President alleged that the DMK's demand for greater powers at the state level was an attempt to centralise authority within the party.
"We view the resolution brought by the Chief Minister under Rule 110 regarding state autonomy as a separatist act... The DMK are essentially saying that it wants all the power for itself," Nagenthiran said.
Referring to changes made in the education system by centralising medical entrance examinations through NEET, Nagenthiran claimed it brought merit-based admissions in contrast to the previous system and also pointed out the DMK's shifting stance on constitutional powers.
"Since the implementation of the NEET examination system, students have been getting medical admissions based on merit. Previously, bribes of up to Rs. 2 crores had to be paid for a single seat. Indira Gandhi moved education from the State List to the Concurrent List. When Karunanidhi was the Chief Minister, he passed a resolution stating that the Governor should be given more powers. Now, they are saying the Governor should have no powers," he added.
On other long-standing issues, he added, "For the past 50 years, only resolutions have been passed on important issues like the Cauvery and Mullaperiyar water disputes," claiming that the DMK had not involved itself in matters related to the welfare of the people.
Meanwhile, BJP MLA and National Mahila Mocha President Vanathi Srinivasan said that the DMK calls for autonomy whenever they are in crisis.
"It is not the first time the DMK party is talking about the autonomy of the state; whenever they are facing a crisis, whenever they are in power, when they are facing the anger of the people, immediately they start talking about the autonomy of the state," she said.
Earlier today, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin stepped up his attack on the Centre, making a strong pitch to give the state more autonomy in its decisions. This comes in the wake of the run-ins that the DMK-led government has had with Governor RN Ravi over the clearance of various bills passed by the State assembly.
The Chief Minister moved a resolution in the Tamil Nadu Assembly to appoint a high-level committee to recommend new State autonomy and retrieve the state's rights. The committee will be headed by Retired Justice Kurian Joseph and include retired IAS Ashok Vardan Shetty and Mu Nagarajan.
The committee will research and submit an interim report to the State by the end of January 2026, and a full report will be submitted within two years. The committee will also give recommendations on strengthening the relationship between the State and the Union Government. (ANI)