Why is BJP Criticizing TN Cong Chief Selvaperunthagai Over Rural Employment Issues?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- BJP criticizes Congress for hypocrisy
- Accusations focus on rural employment issues
- Viksit Bharat Bill aims to reform employment schemes
- DMK government faces increasing scrutiny
- Upcoming elections could be affected by these tensions
Chennai, Jan 11 (NationPress) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tamil Nadu has sharply criticized K. Selvaperunthagai, the president of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, for what they term his political hypocrisy and selective activism concerning rural employment and governance issues in the state.
In a statement released on Sunday, A.N.S. Prasad, the spokesperson for the Tamil Nadu BJP, questioned the absence of protests from Selvaperunthagai against the DMK government, despite numerous actions that he claimed contradict the principles of Mahatma Gandhi.
This criticism arises as the Union government has presented the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025, aimed at replacing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005.
Prasad accused the Congress leader of being quiet regarding what he referred to as a deceptive election promise made by Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, who vowed in the DMK manifesto to extend the rural employment scheme from 100 days to 150 days.
The BJP claims that this promise was never realized and was merely a tactic for electoral success. Furthermore, the BJP spokesperson contended that the restructuring of the rural employment scheme by the center has curtailed alleged misappropriations at the local level.
He alleged that DMK and Congress MLAs and local representatives can no longer exploit funds as they allegedly did before, which has reportedly disturbed leaders of the ruling coalition in Tamil Nadu.
Addressing Selvaperunthagai's recent protests, Prasad labeled them as political theatrics intended to distract from rising dissatisfaction within Congress.
He asserted that Congress members themselves are voicing concerns regarding their leadership’s reliance on the DMK and are demanding a more equitable distribution of power within the ruling coalition.
Contrasting state and central governance, the BJP emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is enacting policies inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and advancing towards an inclusive governance model.
In contrast, Prasad claimed that Tamil Nadu is experiencing an anti-people administration under the DMK, which he believes undermines public rights.
The BJP concluded with predictions of a disappointing electoral performance for Congress in the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections, asserting that voters will dismiss what they term the political drama of the DMK–Congress alliance.