MK Stalin's warning ahead of polls, says 'States won't exist if BJP comes to power'

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday claimed that if the BJP comes back to power in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, there will be "no more federalism" and things will go to an extent where "even states will not exist".

Launching a scathing attack on the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a rally in Thanjavur, the Chief Minister said, "2024 will decide whether democracy will continue in India or not".

"If the BJP comes back to power, there won’t be federalism, democratic norms, or parliamentary processes, and it will go to the extent that even states won’t exist," Stalin said.

Further in his speech, the DMK chief also cited the disintegration of the state of Jammu and Kashmir to support his argument, stating that the same fate may befall Tamil Nadu tomorrow.

"We witnessed how the state of Jammu and Kashmir was divided into two before our eyes. It was converted into a union territory without the approval of the people there. Political leaders were kept under house arrest. There is no legislative assembly there now, and elections have not been held for five years. Even now, they haven’t announced elections for J&K. This is BJP’s dictatorship," he argued.

"This situation may



befall Tamil Nadu tomorrow. The same thing may happen to all states if the BJP comes back to power. Even BJP-ruled states will also be in danger," Stalin said in Thanjavur.

He also alleged that the BJP is targeting opposition leaders ahead of the elections.

"As elections approach, many opposition leaders are being arrested to prevent them from campaigning. The PM is misusing the power he has not just to suppress the opposition but also to destroy the country," he said.

Stalin further accused the Centre of not disbursing funds to the state and said that PM Modi knew that Tamil people will not vote for him due to this. He also charged that the Prime Minister has lost his sleep because of the INDIA alliance.

Reacting to the Supreme Court's judgment on Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi for refusing to re-induct DMK leader K Ponmudi into the state Cabinet, Stalin demanded his resignation.

"Day before yesterday, the Supreme Court gave a strong warning to Governor RN Ravi. The Chief Justice said they won't be onlookers if the Governor is defying court orders and the cCnstitution. Has any governor in the past received such serious condemnation from the Supreme Court? If he has any shame, RN Ravi should resign and go," he said.