Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin on Tuesday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement in Parliamen on Monday, urging people to prepare for the impacts of the West Asia war.
Stalin accused the Centre of outsourcing preparedness and failing to act despite repeated warnings, reported ANI.
In a post on X, Stalin wrote, “Preparedness cannot be outsourced to the people. Prepared for what, leadership or its absence? Prime Minister, who is supposed to prepare: the Union Government or the people of the country? You say that just as we prepared for Covid-19, we must also be prepared for the impacts of the West Asia war.”
Stalin said that on March 11, he had written to the Prime Minister seeking immediate steps, including ensuring the uninterrupted supply of LPG cylinders, rescuing Tamils stranded in Gulf countries, and revising gas supply allocation limits for power stations.
Stalin cites March 11 letter, flags urgent LPG and evacuation concerns
“As the war situation intensified and its impact became evident, I wrote to you on March 11 requesting three measures: to ensure the uninterrupted availability of LPG cylinders for all uses, to rescue Tamils stranded in Gulf countries, and to revise gas supply allocation limits for power stations. The following day, on March 12, opposition parties staged a protest in the Parliament complex to underscore the seriousness of the situation to the Union Government,” he said, reported ANI.
He further added that, with no response from the Centre, the Tamil Nadu government convened a high-level meeting on March 14 and announced relief measures.
“Without waiting for action from the Union Government, as a responsible state government, we conducted a high-level consultation and announced several measures to tackle the gas shortage: a Rs 2 subsidy per unit for additional electricity consumption when food production units switch from LPG to electric stoves; subsidised loans for MSMEs to purchase electric stoves and heaters; and exemption for industries from obtaining TNPCB consent to use alternative fuels. To support farmers’ livelihoods amid restaurant closures, vegetables and fruits could be sold without restrictions in 194 Uzhavar Sandhais (farmers’ markets). At that time, I asked, ‘What is the Union Government going to do to protect public welfare?’ There was no response,” Stalin added.
According to ANI, on March 15, protests were held across Tamil Nadu condemning the BJP-led Centre for its “lack of foresight and preparedness”.
Stalin questions preparedness
“We organised protests across Tamil Nadu condemning the Union BJP Government for its lack of foresight and preparedness. After all this, you are advising that ‘people must be prepared’. Before telling people to be prepared, are you prepared to protect them? What precautionary measures have you taken to safeguard Indian citizens from the impacts of the West Asia war? Now the nation has only one question: ‘Is the Prime Minister prepared to protect us?’” he said.
His remarks came after PM Modi’s address in the Lok Sabha on the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict.
In his speech, the Prime Minister said the escalating conflict in West Asia, now in its fourth week, was posing significant challenges for India, particularly in terms of energy security and trade disruptions.
PM Modi flags global impact of prolonged West Asia conflict
“The situation in West Asia is worrisome. This conflict has been going on for more than three weeks. It has a severe impact on the global economy and people’s lives, and that is why the world is urging all sides for an early resolution,” Modi said.
He also cautioned that the conflict could have lasting effects and reiterated that India has been advocating de-escalation through dialogue and diplomacy.
The Prime Minister noted that nearly one crore Indians reside in Gulf countries, making the situation a matter of heightened concern. He said the government has taken steps to ensure the safety of Indian nationals, facilitate evacuations, and maintain essential fuel supplies despite disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
He further stated that over 3.75 lakh Indian nationals have returned safely to the country, with at least 1,000 of them escorted from Iran.
(With ANI inputs)