Chennai: The DMK responded sharply to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent accusations against the Congress regarding the Katchatheevu island issue, asserting that the BJP was indulging in blame games instead of highlighting its achievements.
In a statement posted on X, DMK spokesperson Manuraj S dismissed the issue as a "woeful and outdated political campaign tactic," emphasizing the Prime Minister's reliance on a decades-old matter unearthed through an RTI query filed by a member of his own party.
Manuraj criticized the BJP for shying away from campaigning on its accomplishments during its ten-year tenure and instead choosing to focus on casting aspersions on the opposition. He highlighted the irony of the ruling party's fixation on historical grievances rather than contemporary governance.
PM Modi's accusations stemmed from a media report citing an RTI revelation, which alleged that the Congress, under then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's leadership, had surrendered the strategic Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka in 1974, purportedly compromising India's territorial integrity.
Responding to PM Modi's remarks, DMK spokesperson Manuraj termed the allegations as an attempt to rouse sentiments over a long-past decision, asserting that such tactics were futile in the face of pressing contemporary issues.
The controversy surrounding Katchatheevu island remains a contentious issue for Tamil Nadu, particularly for fishermen who rely on its waters for livelihood. Despite being historically frequented by Tamil Nadu's fishermen due to the depletion of fish stocks in Indian waters, access to the island is often fraught with tensions, with fishermen frequently detained by the Sri Lankan Navy upon crossing the International Maritime Border Line (IMBL).
The DMK's forceful rebuttal underscores the ongoing political discourse surrounding historical grievances and their relevance in contemporary electoral dynamics.
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