Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed high praise for Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday, applauding his gesture of releasing a Rs 100 commemorative coin to mark the birth centenary of DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin highlighted that Singh’s tribute to Karunanidhi was so profound that even DMK members might not have expressed such admiration.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s comments followed Singh’s visit to the Karunanidhi memorial in Chennai, where the Defence Minister urged attendees to give a standing ovation in honor of the late leader. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin described his feelings of “overwhelming happiness” over Singh’s words, indicating that the tribute was deeply appreciated by the DMK.
In addition to praising Singh, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin took the opportunity to criticize Tamil Nadu Opposition leader Edappadi K Palaniswamy. Palaniswamy had alleged that the DMK and BJP were involved in “secret ties,” particularly in light of Singh’s participation in the centenary celebrations. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin rejected these claims, asserting that the event was organized by the central government, which had also released commemorative coins for former leaders MGR and Anna. He countered Palaniswamy’s criticisms about the use of Hindi on the coin, clarifying that such inscriptions were part of the central government’s standard practice, which also included English. Stalin emphasized that the coin for Karunanidhi had an embossed inscription reading “Tamil Vellum” (Tamil will win), reinforcing the cultural significance attached to the event.
Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, L Murugan, supported Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s clarification, stating that the event was indeed organized by the central government. Murugan’s comments aimed to dispel any confusion regarding the nature of the event and its official status.
This exchange of remarks highlights the ongoing political dynamics in Tamil Nadu, with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin using the opportunity to bolster his party’s image while addressing criticisms from the opposition. The release of the commemorative coin and Singh’s visit have become focal points in the political discourse, reflecting both respect for Karunanidhi’s legacy and the contentious nature of state and national politics.
