DMK Protests Against Alleged Neglect of Tamil Nadu in Union Budget 2024

The DMK staged statewide protests in Tamil Nadu, alleging neglect in the Union Budget 2024. Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin criticized the Budget as discriminatory, particularly against states boycotting the BJP. The protests precede the 9th NITI Aayog's Governing Council meeting chaired by PM Modi in Delhi.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) staged protests across Tamil Nadu on Saturday, accusing the central government of neglecting the state in Union Budget 2024. This demonstration comes ahead of the 9th NITI Aayog's Governing Council meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, New Delhi.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government for its alleged discriminatory budget allocation, labelling it a 'vengeful act' against states that opposed the BJP. 'Vanakkam! Though I was supposed to attend the NITI Aayog meeting in Delhi, chaired by the Prime Minister, I am compelled to address you in the people's forum, seeking justice due to the discriminatory attitude reflected in Union Budget 2024,' Stalin remarked.

Stalin emphasized the progressive and visionary schemes implemented by the Dravidian Model Government in Tamil Nadu over the past three years, ensuring that benefits reach every family. He accused the Union Government of continually disregarding Tamil Nadu's needs. Meanwhile, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced significant infrastructure initiatives for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh in the Union Budget 2024-25. Notably, Stalin was the first to announce his boycott of the NITI Aayog meeting. Following him, Congress leaders, including Himachal Pradesh's Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, Karnataka's Siddaramaiah, and Telangana's Revanth Reddy, also decided to skip the meeting.

This year, the NITI Aayog meeting is themed 'Viksit Bharat@2047' and focuses on making India a developed nation by 2047. The Governing Council Meeting aims to foster collaborative governance between the central and state governments, enhancing the quality of life for both rural and urban populations by improving government intervention delivery mechanisms.