CM Stalin furious at Dharmendra Pradhan

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday hit back at Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Dharmendra Pradhan, during the proceedings of the Lok Sabha, had termed the state government as “dishonest” and “ruining” the future of students on the issue of implementing the PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme. MK Stalin, in a strongly worded post in Tamil on X, condemned Dharmendra Pradhan’s arrogance and said that he is speaking like an arrogant king and who has disrespected the people of Tamil Nadu, needs to be “disciplined”. MK Stalin wrote on X, “Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who thinks himself a king, speaks arrogantly, he should control his tongue.” The proceedings of the Lok Sabha were adjourned for about 30 minutes on Monday after DMK members protested against Dharmendra Pradhan’s remarks. Replying to a question on the PM Shri scheme, Pradhan said the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government has changed its stand on the implementation of the centrally sponsored scheme, which envisaged strengthening schools managed by the Centre, state or local bodies. Replying to a supplementary question, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, “There was a time when the Tamil Nadu government was ready to sign the MoU (on NEP) with the Central government. Some members along with the Tamil Nadu Education Minister had come to us and agreed.” He said non-BJP ruled states like Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab are also accepting the PM Shri scheme. Pradhan said, “We are making financial allocations to Tamil Nadu, but they are not committed. They (DMK) are ruining the future of Tamil Nadu students. They are deliberately doing politics. This is unfortunate. They are doing injustice to the students and behaving in an undemocratic manner.” Accusing the DMK of curbing the democratic rights of Tamil Nadu students, he said the Central government is working for everyone. Pradhan said, “I know that the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu wants to accept the NEP, but some people who want to become the Chief Minister in future are stopping him. The Chief Minister (Stalin) is not honest towards the students.” Under the PM Shri scheme, model schools are to be established in the country in accordance with the principles of NEP 2020. In the middle of the minister’s reply, DMK members came near the chair and started sloganeering. Lok Sabha Speaker Birla conducted the Question Hour for a few minutes amid the uproar of the members.