The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) staged a state-wide protest against the Union Budget presented on July 23 alleging neglect of Tamil Nadu by the central government on Saturday. The demonstration, held across various district headquarters, was marked by fervent speeches and large gatherings of party supporters.


During the protest, DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran said, "Southern states, especially Tamil Nadu, are constantly being neglected by the Modi government. We have been asking for funds for the second phase of the metro for the last 3 years, but not a single rupee has been given yet."

"Andhra Pradesh is getting Rs 16,000 crore for the new capital, while technically Rs 35,000 crore is being gifted to Bihar in the name of flood relief. The amount given to Andhra Pradesh is a loan guarantee means CM Chandrababu Naidu can take loans from other banks, but he has to pay interest and principal, so I am sure CM Naidu is aware of this. The implications will come out very soon. It is a minority government, so anything can happen," he said.






 


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Earlier, the party announced a "massive agitations" in all district headquarters on Saturday against the BJP-led central government, accusing it of showing "step-motherly treatment" to Tamil Nadu in the Union Budget.




 



Meanwhile, the Union budget was presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday. 






The protest coincides with Prime Minister Narendra Modi presiding over the ninth governing council meeting of the NITI Aayog in Delhi. However, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday reaffirmed his decision to boycott the meeting. Citing an alleged discriminatory attitude towards Tamil Nadu in the Union Budget 2024, Stalin claimed that the budget appeared to be a retaliatory act against states and citizens who opposed the BJP in the recent Lok Sabha elections.