"Widespread corruption, complete breakdown of law, order in State": BJP's CR Kesavan hits back at CM MK Stalin

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], April 19 (ANI): Responding to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin's statement that "Tamil Nadu will never yield to Delhi's administration," Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader CR Kesavan on Saturday said that Stalin's is "deliberately trying to divert attention" from the nationwide demand for the "dismissal" of Tamil Nadu Minister K Ponmudy for his "perverted" remarks.
On April 18, the Madras High Court has directed Tamil Nadu police to file a First Information Report (FIR) against Minister K Ponmudy for his controversial remarks, which were allegedly derogatory toward Saivism, Vaishnavism, and women.
Justice N Venkatesh, who presided over the case, instructed the police to file an FIR without delay and submit a report to the court by April 23. This order came in response to a petition seeking legal action against Ponmudy for his alleged offensive speech.
The remarks have sparked widespread criticism from various religious and social groups, with many calling for accountability. The court's intervention has now brought the matter under official investigation.
"The directionless and desperate rant and outburst of MK Stalin totally exposes how rattled he is and how afraid he is of the formidable NDA alliance of the AIADMK and the BJP. He is trembling in fear because he knows that the people of Tamil Nadu have decided to bless the NDA alliance and Tamil Nadu, guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and have resolved to defeat the DMK... MK Stalin is deliberately trying to divert and distract attention from the nationwide demand for the dismissal of (Tamil Nadu Minister K) Ponmudy for his perverted remarks. If this disastrous and dismal DMK Dravidian model government had any sense of shame, the DMK would have dismissed Ponmudy by now... Does it mean that MK Stalin shares the same opinion as his?" he said.
The BJP leader also attacked the DMK government over the alleged "breakdown" of the law and order situation in the State
"The last four years of the DMK have been the darkest chapter in the history of Tamil Nadu, and the people do not like this divisive propaganda of the DMK. They are fed up with the dynastic nepotism of the DMK. There has been widespread corruption and a complete breakdown of law and order in the state...," the BJP leader said.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday took a jibe at the central government and stated that the state would never yield to the national capital New Delhi's administration, further saying that Tamil Nadu was always out of control of Delhi.
"Union Minister Amit Shah says that in 2026, they will form a government. I am challenging and saying to him, Tamil Nadu will never yield to Delhi's administration... that much uniqueness we have. What you do in other states by breaking parties and with raids forming the government won't work in Tamil Nadu. This formula won't work here... Tamil Nadu is always out of control of Delhi...." Stalin said.
Stalin questioned Amit Shah on the NEET examination and the imposition of Hindi in the state."I want to ask Union Home Minister Amit Shah, can he give assurance to provide an exemption from NEET? Can he give assurance that you won't impose Hindi? Can he list out the release of special funds to Tamil Nadu? Can you give your word that delimitation won't reduce seats (of Tamil Nadu in parliamentary elections)? If we are diverting, why didn't you give a proper response to the Tamil Nadu people?" said Stalin.
Over the remarks used by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, where he termed the Tamil Nadu government as 'dishonest' and the people of the state as 'uncivilised', Stalin stated politics could not divide Tamil Nadu.
"Union Minister Dharmendhra Pradhan passed defaming remarks against the Tamil People. Another Union Minister also did the same. Even the PM in Odisha spoke badly about Tamilians and asked whether Tamilians can rule Odisha... You tried dividing through politics. But this can't be done in Tamil Nadu," the CM said.
Earlier, on April 15, MK Stalin stepped up his attack on the Centre, making a strong pitch to give the State more autonomy in the decisions it takes. This came 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 that will recommend new State autonomy and retrieve the rights of the State.
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)