MK Stalin’s Twist on PM Modi’s ‘Modi Ki Guarantee’ Raises Questions for Tamil Nadu’s 2024 Lok Sabha Election

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin criticized the Prime Minister’s frequent visits to the southern state, comparing him to migratory birds that flock to a sanctuary during election season. This jab at the Prime Minister was not the first, as the ruling Trinamool Congress in Bengal had previously made a similar reference. Mr Stalin demanded guarantees from the Prime Minister on various issues, including reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes, employment opportunities for the youth, and reduction of petrol, diesel, and cooking gas prices.

Tamil Nadu has been critical of the single-window common test and has taken the matter to the Supreme Court, arguing that it infringes on the state’s authority over education. The Chief Minister also called for the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations on minimum support price for farmers and the cancellation of the military’s Agnipath scheme. He additionally sought the repeal of the Citizenship Amendment Act and a review of the BJP’s “anti-people laws”.

Stalin emphasized that the promises made were reflective of the people’s aspirations rather than just the DMK’s manifesto. The pledges included reducing petrol and diesel prices, scrapping the Uniform Civil Code, and ensuring 33% reservation for women in Parliament and Assemblies. The upcoming election results are scheduled for June 4th.

In the 2019 election, the DMK-Congress alliance dominated the state, winning 38 of the 39 seats, while the BJP failed to secure any seats.