PM Meets CM Vijay: Why Is Congress Upset? Political Tensions Rise After High-Profile Meeting In TN

Welcome back. You're watching Mirror Now. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's high-profile visit to Chennai yesterday was marked by the inauguration of multi-crore development projects for the state. While the optics of the Prime Minister and Chief Minister Vijay spoke of working together for Tamil Nadu's infrastructure growth, politics has now taken centre stage. The inclusion of the state BJP President Nainar Nagendran on the dais has drawn fierce criticism from the TVK and the Congress. The TVK and the Congress have questioned the official protocols and whether there was a breach for Nainar Nagendran, the state BJP president. The TVK minister, Nirmal Kumar, and the Congress MP, Manikim Tagore, publicly questioned the protocol that allowed Nagendran to share the stage with the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister. They questioned how Nagendran, who is not even an MLA, was allowed to be present. Remember, there have also been a bitter war of words between Chief Minister Vijay and Nagendran previously, when Nainar Nagendran had made some personal remarks against the Chief Minister. Amid this, the Congress has also accused the Prime Minister of imposing Hindi. The Congress party drew a sharp contrast between Rahul Gandhi's English engagement with the Tamil Nadu audience while Prime Minister Modi used Hindi to deliver his address. The Congress claimed that such programs or interactions in Hindi alienate Tamil speakers and sidelines regional languages. The BJP hit back, accusing the Congress of parochial politics, saying Prime Minister Modi ensured a prideful place for Tamil at the global stage. The reality is that the whole respect for Tamil language has been done in the work of Prime Minister Modi ji. When the sacred Sengol has been put in the new parliament building, which was a revered symbol of eternal Tamil culture, then the Congress opposed. It was in May 2023. Meanwhile, another controversy has also broken out over the depiction of the legendary Tamil poet and philosopher Tiruvalluvar in saffron attire during the Prime Minister's visit to Chennai. The DMK questioned the TVK on this and asked whether they will take a stand on this or not. Jay Prakash, Statewide President of Tamil Nadu BJP, joins us on the broadcast. So does Dr. Nishant Anand, National Spokesperson of the Congress Party. Joining us is also S. Muralidharan, Political Analyst. Thank you all for joining us. I want to ask first Dr. Nishant Anand on why you're saying that Prime Minister Modi has imposed Hindi because he chose to speak in Hindi during his interactions. That's right. But does that mean that he is imposing Hindi on Tamil Nadu? Good evening to all. See, India is a union of states and our diversity is our greatest strength. The Congress party, the Rahul Gandhi, stands firmly on two clear fronts here. First, Rahul Gandhiji said it, strongly pointed out, we reject any backdoor attempt at language imposition or squeezing Tamil Nadu funds to force compliance. When need cuts down the share of Tamil Nadu, medium students getting into medical seats and when central control creeps into the universities, we are going to call it out. Culture and identity are not things Delhi gets to needle with. We do not want central government to force this in Tamil Nadu. Second, P. Chidambaram has rightly emphasized our commitment to Tamil Nadu two language system of Tamil and English needs to actually work on the ground. It cannot just be an idea sitting on a government file. We need real trained teachers in every single school. So our kids grew up genuinely fluent in both languages. Tamil is our pride and English is our bridge to the world. No, you're right. And that is a completely fair argument. And there has been anger against Hindi imposition and the three language policy. But my question is merely on what Manikyam Tagore has said. And he says that is Hindi imposition when the prime minister speaks in Hindi. Now, that is a language that he's comfortable in. There was a translator translating every line that the Prime Minister spoke. So, is it fair to say that Hindi was imposed merely comparing Rahul Gandhi's English address with this? See, I will give you two answers on this. First, we protect our mother tongue and we give our kids the practical tools to succeed anywhere. Secondly, for Prime Minister Modi, see, we don't know what he speaks, where he speaks. If you remember, if he goes to Bihar, he speaks in English. When he goes to Washington DC, he speaks in Hindi. So I am not able to answer what Prime Minister, what language he speaks, because we don't know till today what language he can speak. That is the language he is comfortable in. What's the problem, Mr. Jayaprakash? What do you think? Because the Congress Party says that merely by speaking in Hindi, even if there is a translator, the Prime Minister is imposing Hindi. Listen the host See the name of the program Itself is called as That itself is a Hindi language for bringing In students point number one Point number two see from In 1965 it was congress Which imposed the hindi here Three if you see Whereas Prime minister Modi whether it was single He put it in parliament or Anywhere he has never been Against any language for that matter See, my friend was saying that Hindi is not there, even in their own states, which is being ruled. In Kerala, if you go to any boat, it is Malayalam, Hindi and then English. In Telangana, it is Telugu, Hindi and then English. So what is the point in them talking about that they are not able to understand what the prime minister is talking? because automatically every other person, even in Tamil Nadu, understand that language. So the people know what he is talking about, they do understand. Okay, that's a very interesting point. So Dr. Nishant, this attack on Hindi imposition was being made from an event that was called Chhatro Ki Gunj. Yes, that is right. But in Tamil Nadu, as we have mentioned, Rahulji, P.K. Tamra has clearly stated the central government is trying to push. They are not releasing the funds. If you heard TVK president, he also mentioned in his speech, the central government should release 5,900 funds, which has been held by them. They need to come out and see why did he, why did Prime Minister Modi... Let me bring in Mr. Muralidharan on this. Mr. Muralidharan, you know, we saw a complete change in this interaction with the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and the Prime Minister, because it spoke of cooperative federalism, a very big issue in Tamil Nadu. and we've seen on multiple occasions previously when the DMK was in power that there was a lack of cooperation between the two. It was a picture of harmony when Vijay said that we are willing to work with centre, we want to work with the centre to ensure development of Tamil Nadu. When such is the case, do you think such issues being raised by your ally actually creates these differences? It is absolutely unfalse. If you ask me, Mr. Vijay conducted himself so beautifully. The previous day he was with Mr. Raju Gandhi. I mean, Rahul Gandhi, he took him for a cup of coffee. Yes. And they had, they were chit-chatting. Then the Chitwanta, whatever the program was. I mean, if at all, Mr. Rahul Gandhi was so concerned about Hindi imposition, he should have named the program Hindi, you know. It should have been a Tamil word or an English word. So, see, it was absolutely trivial for them to speak about it later on. It was done and dusted. Yes, there was a protocol issue when Mr. Raina Narendran came on the stage And he was sitting along with the delegates So that was not okay So that already was condemned In fact, Congress brought it up Yes, TVK acknowledged it Yes, they said it's not right It is not fair And going forward, the Union of India should not do this So that matter ends there And where did the Indian portion come? I mean, let me tell you frankly We have a serious problem in Tamil Nadu All the workers, the laborers Is from the North and North East I mean, these guys have a problem with, you know, sign boards and, you know, bus boards where Hindi is the big, where will these poor people go? They don't come with, you know, they don't learn English and come to Tamil Nadu to work. They don't know English, they don't come from Tamil Nadu. So these labours, you know, this is the normal Dravidian, you know, that ideological thing, which I think probably Congress also got rubbed on from, you know, being with the PMC. Okay. I think parochial politics is uncalled for. We are with Tamil Nadu on some of the key issues, but not on petty politics like this. Well, Mr. Jayaprakash, the same question comes to you then. When you have a chief minister who's coming on record and saying that we want to walk with you, he's showing that kind of camaraderie. He, in fact, also followed official protocol, something which was not done previously, welcoming the prime minister. He was seen with the prime minister. But at the same time, look at what the BJP has done. You have Nainur Nagendran, who has made some very personal comments against the chief minister. Breach of protocol. He was seen there on stage with him. One thing let me point out to you. When Mr. Devagouda was the prime minister of the country and Mr. Kalyanir was the chief minister, Mr. Muppanar, who was a TMC ally to them, was on stage for a function. So there has been a protocol. There's no breach of protocol. all it is a norm that in Tamil Nadu these things have happened previously it is they are making an issue of a non-issue see he being on stage is not a political thing but a matter of respect for the state president given by the prime minister it has happened before so when Mr. Devagouda was there Kalyanir was there it happened then the point what mr uh the congress is saying about language See, when they are not able to have the two-language formula in Kerala or in Telangana or in Karnataka where they are ruling, why is that they are wanted only in Tamil Nadu? Because, see, Tamil Nadu is also part of an Indian state like Assam or like West Bengal. In West Bengal also, there is Hindi, Bengali and English. So, what is their problem in having, see, as Mr. Muralidharan pointed out, See, they were even opposing the small medical slips or the names of the medicine slips, which has been printed in Hindi, which was approved by the DMK government in the previous regime that they are opposing, saying it should not be in Hindi and TVK and Congress because of Congress pressure, TVK has removed it. I'm asking how trivial is this when a laborer from any part of the nation, what is the difference when he has got three languages there? Okay, all right. But, you know, as we come to a close, I want to take closing thoughts from Mr. Muralidharan on this because those are some very powerful visuals. We've not seen very often the opposition's state chief minister flagging off the metro with the prime minister. And of course, this visual came just hours after Vijay also met Rahul Gandhi. So here is a politician at a time when there's such a political divide in the country. Here is a politician who is able to very easily spend his time or have a political affiliation with Rahul Gandhi. At the same time, a level of comfort with the prime minister. He is redefining politics. That we need to understand. You know, it is always good to have coordination relationships with the centre because the centre gives you most of the funds. When it comes to infrastructure and development, etc. You know, tomorrow you want some industries. You know, you can always call up Mr. Modi and say, you know, this industry, you guys have enough and more in, you know, Gujarat and you've given enough and more to Telangana and the rest of it, like, give it to us. You know, we also, like, we're a manufacturing, you know, state more than IT. We're a manufacturing state and an export-oriented state. So, you can always call him up and say, you know, give me this industry. Same way, okay, ideologically, we are aligned with, you know, Congress. You know, that's for politics. And apart from that, the building of the state is more important. I think BJP is striking a very good balance and all Congress and all other small parties should stay away from this game. You know, this is not for them. Okay. All right. Very interesting. We'll have to leave it there. Thanking our guests for joining us this evening. No doubt they were powerful visuals from Tamil Nadu and we hope this coordination and cordial relations continue. It is important for any democracy, any state in the country. With that, it's a wrap on this edition of Urban Debate. Thank you for joining us. Good night.