Nirmala Sitharaman 'Mocking' People Who Are Suffering: TN Govt Hits Back At Finance Minister

The statement of Thangam Thennarasu came after Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman delivered a strong criticism of the DMK-led government's response to the recent floods in Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu minister said that Nirmala Sitharaman has responded "in an angry language of waging war on an enemy country."

Source : File Photo

Tamil Nadu finance minister Thangam Thennarasu criticized Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday, accusing her of insulting the calamity-hit state. Thennarasu stated that Sitharaman "discourteously declined" Chief Minister M K Stalin's request for funds. The Tamil Nadu government had earlier sought the declaration of heavy rainfall as a "calamity of severe nature" and requested Rs 21,000 crore in aid from the Centre. Thennarasu highlighted Sitharaman's refusal in what he described as an "egoistic tone."

In a hard-hitting statement in Chennai, Thennarasu said, "But the Centre declined. This is what Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said in an egoistic tone, the language she knows."  

Tamil Nadu minister said that Nirmala Sitharaman has responded "in an angry language of waging war on an enemy country."

"Her press briefing is like mocking people when they are suffering the most," Thennarasu said. He accused her of using the media to create a false impression on the Tamil Nadu government by uttering "lies and making false allegations." 

TN minister expressed disappointment that Sitharaman had not called for the briefing to announce the disbursal of funds for Tamil Nadu. "Why give an interview to say 'no funds" he asked, according to a report on PTI.

The government initiated disbursing a relief amount of Rs 6,000 to the affected persons. Thennarasu acknowledged ongoing rescue and relief efforts in certain places in Thoothukudi district, highlighting public awareness through media reports about the situation in flood-affected areas.

The statement of Thangam Thennarasu came after Nirmala Sitharaman delivered a strong criticism of the DMK-led government's response to the recent floods in Tamil Nadu during a press conference in New Delhi.

On Friday, the Union Finance Minister also specifically highlighted Chief Minister Stalin's attendance at an alliance meeting in Delhi during the crisis. Expressing displeasure, Sitharaman emphasized that CM Stalin prioritized the I.N.D.I.A meeting in Delhi while the people of Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli were grappling with the impact of rain and floods.