Chennai: The chief ministers of Tamil Nadu and Bihar, two states that were at odds over alleged “attacks on migrants” in the southern state just three months ago, expressed solidarity with each other, with Bihar CM Nitish Kumar even saying that he had always rooted for Tamil Nadu’s ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).
A statement by Nitish was read out by DMK MP Tiruchi N. Siva in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvarur district during an event by the DMK to inaugurate the Kalaignar Kottam, a memorial built for former Tamil Nadu chief minister M. Karunanidhi, in Kattur, as part of his birth centenary celebrations.
Nitish, who was the only chief minister to be invited by the DMK, could not be present due to health reasons. The event, however, was attended by his deputy Tejashwi Yadav, son of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad.
Referring to the row over the alleged attacks on migrants from Bihar in Tamil Nadu, Nitish stated that Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin had reassured him that the news was fake. “Bihar people are taken care of in the state with love and affection,” read Nitish’s letter.
At the event, Stalin reiterated his intention to attend the Opposition meeting called by Nitish in Bihar this Friday, in which at least 17 parties — including the Congress, Trinamool Congress, Shiv Sena, Aam Aadmi Party, CPM, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha — are likely to be present. He also said Nitish had spoken to him over the phone.
Stalin further paid tribute to his father Karunanidhi, and said: “In the Lok Sabha polls of 2024, 40 (Lok Sabha seats) will be ours, and the country will be ours.”
The Kottam comprised a ‘Muthuvelar (library)’, which was inaugurated by Tejashwi. Stalin inaugurated a statue of Karunanidhi, a museum and a marriage hall. Tejashwi was given a tour of the museum and photo exhibition, and five marriages were conducted there in the presence of both leaders.
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Nitish’s message to Tiruvarur
Praising Karunanidhi, Nitish said in his speech that Kalaignar — as Karunanidhi was popularly called — had entered politics at the age of 14. He was in politics for the next 80 years, and the leader of the DMK for 50 years, and it was an achievement that no national or regional leader could follow up, he added. Karunanidhi had died in 2018 aged 94.
Nitish called himself a supporter of the DMK through the years and stated that he had said, during his last meeting with Karunanidhi in 2017 and again in 2018 after his demise, that the DMK would return to power in Tamil Nadu and that Stalin would be the CM.
Nitish also complimented Stalin for “doing a great job” in the state.
Tejashwi spoke about how the “ideas of Karunanidhi continue to resonate and inspire generations”, and said that “Karunanidhi’s social justice policies were a guide for the present generation”.
He added: “We must weave together the fabric of social justice, equality and empathy into the very core of our governance structure. We can foster an environment where every citizen feels valued, every voice is heard, where no one is left behind.”
Stalin, meanwhile, urged the people of the state to come together to defeat the BJP.
Quoting Karunanidhi, he said: “Democracy is like a lamp for a house, while autocracy is like a forest fire. The BJP in the last 10 years has been spreading the fire of autocracy and we have the responsibility to stop it.”
“I am going to Patna on 23 June, with your love, your faith, and in the democratic warfare I will be participating as the charioteer of Karunanidhi,” he added. “We are at a time where we are in a tough spot to protect Indian democracy. If we don’t stop them now, the state of Tamil Nadu with a legacy of 2,000-3,000 years will cease to exist. If the BJP is allowed to continue in power, then there will be ill effects for the Tamils, Tamil Nadu, India and its future.”
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)