Udhayanidhi Stalin Targets AIADMK Over Delayed Madurai AIIMS Project
In a sharp political exchange during the Tamil Nadu assembly session, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin launched a pointed attack on AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami. The DMK leader sarcastically suggested that Palaniswami should take Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the stalled AIIMS construction site in Madurai and demand answers about the prolonged delay in completion.
Assembly Debate Escalates Over Infrastructure Accountability
The heated discussion unfolded during a debate on infrastructure projects initiated by both DMK and AIADMK legislators. Udhayanidhi highlighted the concerning timeline of the Madurai AIIMS project, noting that the central government announced the construction in 2017, with the foundation stone being laid in 2019. "After eight long years, this crucial healthcare project remains incomplete," he emphasized.
With Prime Minister Modi currently visiting Tamil Nadu during the election season, Udhayanidhi remarked that "the Prime Minister will likely visit the state at least ten times during this period." He specifically called upon Palaniswami and former AIADMK minister Agri S S Krishnamurthy to utilize these visits productively. "They should personally escort Modi to the AIIMS site and directly question him about when the construction will finally conclude," the deputy chief minister stated.
Opposition and Government Clash Over Project Ownership
Deputy leader of the opposition R B Udhayakumar swiftly countered these allegations, asserting that it was the AIADMK government that originally allocated the land for the project and conducted the foundation stone ceremony. He made a bold prediction, declaring that "after forming the government in 2026, AIADMK will proudly inaugurate the completed AIIMS facility in 2027."
Industries Minister T R B Rajaa entered the fray with a different perspective, crediting Udhayanidhi for the project's progress. He argued that construction work might never have commenced without Udhayanidhi making it a central campaign issue during the 2021 elections, thereby applying necessary political pressure.
Broader Infrastructure Development Comparisons Emerge
The debate expanded beyond the AIIMS project as Udhayanidhi presented comparative data on sports infrastructure development. He revealed that the DMK government has allocated 600 crore rupees for sports development, contrasting this with what he described as inadequate investment during the previous administration.
"The AIADMK government spent only 380 crore rupees on sports infrastructure over an entire decade," he claimed. Providing specific details, Udhayanidhi mentioned that work for mini stadiums has been approved in 82 constituencies, with eight already inaugurated. He assured the assembly that "the remaining mini stadium projects will be successfully completed by the end of February."
This assembly confrontation underscores the ongoing political tensions in Tamil Nadu regarding infrastructure delivery and accountability, particularly for high-profile projects like the Madurai AIIMS that have experienced significant delays despite initial announcements years ago.
