DMK leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, Udhayanidhi Stalin, has launched a sharp critique against Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, accusing him of taking credit for accomplishments achieved during the previous DMK government at the recent NITI Aayog meeting.
Questioning the Achievements
In a post on X, Udhayanidhi questioned whether the key achievements highlighted by Vijay at the meeting were accomplished during the TVK government's one month in office or during the DMK's five-year tenure. He specifically referred to Vijay's remarks about Tamil Nadu being the second largest economy in India, the fact that 42 per cent of all working women in India are from Tamil Nadu, and progress in women's education, safety, healthcare, and the growth of women's Self-Help Groups.
Udhayanidhi stated, "The Chief Minister must clarify whether all of these were achieved during his one-month-old Sofa Model governance, or were they achieved during the 5-year Dravidian Model governance?"
Contradiction on NEET
Udhayanidhi also highlighted a contradiction in Vijay's stance on NEET. He recalled that before the Assembly elections, Vijay had questioned whether "NEET alone mattered in the world." However, at the NITI Aayog meeting, Vijay strongly supported medical admissions based on Class 12 marks, which Udhayanidhi described as a contradiction. The DMK youth wing secretary further alleged that Vijay did not raise the Mekedatu dam issue during the meeting in Delhi or with the Congress government in Karnataka.
"Despite traveling all the way to Delhi, he maintained silence on the Mekedatu dam issue at the Niti Aayog meeting and also with his new alliance partner the Congress governing Karnataka," Udhayanidhi said.
Accusation of Credit Theft
He also accused the government of claiming credit for the work of the previous administration. "In short, at the Niti Aayog meeting, this #SofaModel government has completely pasted its own sticker over the achievements of our Kazhagam government. CM Sir, this fake victory you have attained by hurling lies and slander to deceive the people will not last long. Truth will surely triumph," he said.
Background of the Meeting
At the 11th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on June 11, Vijay presented Tamil Nadu's development achievements and future goals. During his first appearance at the meeting, the Chief Minister sought an exemption from NEET for Tamil Nadu and asked the Centre to allow admissions to medical colleges based on marks obtained in the Plus Two examination. He also requested the release of Rs 3,284 crore under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme.
