Annamalai slams CM Stalin, Vijay for their remarks against Union Budget
In a veiled jibe at the ruling DMK, he claimed that the ruling party's meetings, on the other hand, were attended by individuals who were allegedly paid to participate
Annamalai speaking at a public meeting in Tiruvamiyur
CHENNAI: Slamming Chief Minister MK Stalin for his remarks against the Union Budget 2025-26, BJP state president K Annamalai on Wednesday questioned his ability to empathise with the common populace given his affluent lifestyle.
Addressing a gathering at the pro-budget public meeting in Tiruvanmiyur here, Annamalai averred that the BJP's gatherings were a testament to the party's dedicated cadres, who participated without expecting any pecuniary benefits.
In a veiled jibe at the ruling DMK, he claimed that the ruling party's meetings, on the other hand, were attended by individuals who were allegedly paid to participate.
Dubbing the tax exemption up to 12 lakhs as a "historical achievement" Annamalai said this would greatly benefit the middle class.
"Chief Minister Stalin has lied to the lowest level. Starting from the Chief Minister to the ministers, they are lying," Annamalai alleged, accusing the DMK leadership of spreading misinformation about the Union Budget.
He countered CM Stalin's criticisms, pointing out that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government returns tax money to states and has allocated a substantial sum of Rs 1.5 lakh crore as interest-free loans in the current fiscal year.
Responding to criticisms levelled by DMK leaders, including Ministers Gandhi, Sekarbabu, and RS Bharathi, Annamalai asserted that the BJP would not be intimidated by the DMK's verbal attacks and would continue to highlight the ruling party's alleged corruption and misgovernance.
Ministers say that women are safe in the state. Go for the 2026 election campaign, people will beat you with sandals. You who brew illicit liquor, impose the Goondas Act on farmers and commit corruption under the name of Gandhi, do not try to teach a lesson for BJP, " he said.
The Tamil Nadu BJP chief also took a swipe at Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, saying that the party's leader was naive about the budgetary process.
Annamalai quipped that Vijay seemed to think that the budget was an opportunity to discuss GST rates, demonstrating a lack of understanding about the budget's scope.
"Today, someone has started a wing in their party called the Children's Wing. Because it seems that all those in his party are children. Today, someone who started the party is saying, GST has not been reduced. Sir, this is the Budget, not the GST council meeting, " he quipped, alluding to TVK chief Vijay's remarks on the Union Budget.
The meeting was witnessed by a large gathering of BJP workers and senior party leaders, including Tamilisai Soundararajan, Narayanan Thirupathy, Karu Nagarajan, SG Suryah, and Karate Thiagarajan.
