Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu), April 13 (NationPress) As the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections approach, Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, the DMK Deputy General Secretary and MP from Thoothukudi, ramped up her campaign on Monday. She called on the electorate to firmly oppose the BJP and its allies in the region.

Speaking to supporters at Gangaikondan while promoting DMK candidate S. Subramanian in the Tirunelveli Assembly constituency, Kanimozhi criticized the BJP-led Union government for continually denying Tamil Nadu its fair financial entitlement.

She pointed out that the state is owed Rs 3,600 crore under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, which has adversely affected the education of students, especially those from rural and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Additionally, she condemned the Centre's management of welfare schemes, claiming that the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which is vital for rural livelihoods, has suffered due to cuts in funding.

"These measures have a direct negative impact on the poor and marginalized communities," she remarked.

Kanimozhi also accused the BJP of trying to enforce Hindi on Tamil Nadu, despite the state’s established two-language policy.

She celebrated the achievements of Tamil Nadu students in competitive exams, including the UPSC, noting that initiatives like the 'Naan Mudhalvan' scheme and a focus on English education have opened up better opportunities for the youth.

"While our students are thriving on a global scale, the BJP seeks to impose a language that contradicts our educational framework," she stated.

Alleging that the Centre is leveraging financial assistance as a means of coercion, she claimed Tamil Nadu is being pressured to conform to policies such as the National Education Policy in return for funding. "Tamils will not be intimidated or manipulated," she asserted.

In her criticism of the AIADMK, Kanimozhi took aim at party leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami, arguing that their alliance with the BJP is not beneficial for the state.

She highlighted the accomplishments of the DMK government under Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, stating that they have delivered on their 2021 election promises and will continue to uphold their commitments.

For Tirunelveli, she proposed several initiatives, including the establishment of a 'Semmozhi Poonga', an advanced cancer care facility at the Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital, along with distributing laptops to students. Expressing optimism about the party's future, Kanimozhi stated that the DMK is poised to reclaim power and maintain its development-oriented governance across Tamil Nadu.