Nirmala Sitharaman Slams DMK Over Draupadi Remark, Says They Demeaned Jayalalithaa

New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman replied to the no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha on August 10, highlighting the achievements of the Modi government over the past nine years. She criticized opposition parties, particularly the Congress and DMK, for their lack of progress on various fronts.

Sitharaman blamed the Tamil Nadu government for delays in building the AIIMS in Madurai, leading DMK MPs to walk out in protest. She also referenced a past incident involving J Jayalalithaa to counter the DMK’s stance on the disrobing of Draupadi.

Sitharaman touched on the sengol controversy during the inauguration of the new Parliament building, emphasizing its significance to Tamil Nadu. She pointed out that former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru received the sengol but it was later forgotten and displayed in a museum, which she considered an insult to the Tamil people.

Addressing concerns about rising prices of essential commodities, Sitharaman shared the government’s efforts to make tomatoes affordable by procuring them from states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. Cooperative societies distribute these tomatoes at a subsidized rate. She also mentioned imports from Nepal to alleviate the situation.

Sitharaman criticized opposition parties for not reducing fuel prices, leading to high inflation. She specifically mentioned Rajasthan, Bihar, Kerala, and Telangana for maintaining high prices, even as the Modi government reduced excise duty.

The Finance Minister accused the UPA of wasting a decade due to corruption and cronyism. She questioned the need to change the UPA’s name and highlighted the public’s lack of confidence in the UPA during the 2014 and 2019 elections.

Sitharaman criticized the newly formed opposition alliance called INDIA, pointing out conflicts between its partners in various states, including Punjab, Delhi, West Bengal, Kerala, and Jammu and Kashmir.

She defended the Modi government’s economic management, noting India’s growth despite global challenges. She highlighted India’s status as the fastest-growing economy and expressed confidence in India’s future economic growth, even after the Covid crisis.

The Finance Minister discussed various schemes of the Modi government, emphasizing their impact on the public. She provided data on sectors like housing, education, airports, highways, and technology, showcasing significant improvements since 2014.