PM Modi "afraid" of Congress poll manifesto, says MK Stalin
Karur: DMK president M K Stalin Friday said Congress toed his party's stand on autonomy of states by assuring in its manifesto that the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) would be scrapped.
Training his guns on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Stalin alleged that the top BJP leader was making false poll promises since he was rattled by the Congress party's manifesto.
The AIADMK regime did not "stop" NEET's implementation in the state and still has claimed in its manifesto that it was for exempting Tamil Nadu students from the exam, he said.
The top DMK leader, addressing a poll rally here, said the AIADMK's assurance on NEET was to deceive the people.
"The Congress party in its manifesto has assured that NEET will be dispensed with and made it clear that only state governments had rights on this matter," he said, seeking votes for Congress candidate S Jothimani from Karur Lok Sabha seat.
"I am happy and proud that Rahul Gandhi has seconded Kalaignar's (late patriarch M Karunanidhi) slogan of autonomy for states in his party manifesto and I would like to thank him for that," the DMK chief said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was "afraid" of the Congress manifesto and that was why he has begun "blabbering" about his "false" poll promises, Stalin alleged.
The DMK chief alleged that Modi, who was a "liar," was calling the Congress manifesto a "document of lies."
On April 3, Modi had hit out at the Congress in his Arunachal Pradesh rally, terming its manifesto as a "hypocrisy document" and "full of lies".
While the DMK assured scrapping of NEET in its manifesto, the Congress said NEET was discriminatory against students from certain States and interfered with the State governments' right to admit students.
"We will take measures to dispense with the NEET and substitute it with a State-level examination..," the Congress had said in its manifesto.
Stalin said the Congress, like his party, has also assured waiver of farm loans and had already implemented it in states, including Chattisgarh.
Also, the Congress has assured the Minimum Income Support plan of Rs 6,000 per month and all such welfare measures were in sync with the DMK's promises, he said.
"I promise you that all our assurances will be fulfilled.
To implement such welfare measures elect Jothimani by a huge margin," he said.
Stalin attacked AIADMK candidate M Thambidurai for not "delivering," despite representing the seat for 10 years and in spite of being the Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker.
The DMK chief said Thambidurai had slammed the Centre for presenting an interim budget that looked like an "election manifesto."
He recalled that the AIADMK leader had also said that if the Centre had been sincere in its intentions, it would have come out with several measures found in the interim budget earlier.
"Thambidurai may have forgotten what he spoke; but not the people. The same man has been fielded as the AIADMK candidate from Karur with the support of the BJP," he said.
Greater autonomy for states and coalition governments ("Madhiyil Kootatchi, Manilathil Suyatchi" is its slogan) at the Centre to reflect federalism are part of DMK's ideology.
Ever since its introduction, NEET faced opposition in Tamil Nadu on grounds that it was allegedly discriminatory, impinged on State government's rights and went against social justice and the rural poor.
Following the suicide of a Dalit girl who could not get a good score in NEET, despite pretty high marks in her Class XII examination, the resistance to the exam had a multiplier effect in Tamil Nadu.
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India, Ethiopia elevate ties to strategic partnership as PM Modi holds talks with his counterpart
Addis Ababa (PTI): India and Ethiopia on Tuesday elevated their historical ties to a strategic partnership, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with his Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed Ali during which they discussed issues of bilateral and mutual interest.
Modi, who arrived here from Jordan on his maiden bilateral visit, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the National Palace ahead of the bilateral talks, reflecting the vibrant India-Ethiopia relations rooted in shared history and a promising future.
"We are elevating India and Ethiopia relations to a strategic partnership. This step will provide new energy, new momentum and new depth to our ties," Prime Minister Modi said during the delegation-level talks.
He thanked PM Ali for his support in India's fight against terrorism. "The support of friendly countries in this struggle against terrorism holds great significance," Modi said.
"Today, we got the opportunity to deliberate on the key aspects of our cooperation, such as economy, innovation, technology, defence, health, capacity-building and multilateral cooperation. I am pleased that today, we have decided to double the student scholarship for Ethiopia in India," Modi said.
Modi said that India and Ethiopia have shared contact, dialogue, and exchange for thousands of years. The two countries, which are rich in languages and traditions, are symbols of unity in diversity, he added.
"Both countries are democratic powers committed to peace and the welfare of humanity. We are co-travellers and partners of the Global South. On international platforms, we have stood shoulder-to-shoulder," he said.
The two sides signed eight MoUs/agreements, including upgrading ties to 'Strategic Partnership', customs cooperation, establishing data center at the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry, UN Peacekeeping training cooperation, debt restructuring under G20, more ICCR scholarships and AI short courses for Ethiopians, and support for maternal and neonatal healthcare.
Modi said the African Union's headquarters in Ethiopia makes the country a meeting point of African diplomacy. "Inspired by the common vision of an inclusive world, in 2023, India ensured that the African Union became a G20 member," he said.
In 2023, during India’s G20 Presidency, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20.
Modi said that though this is his first visit, he felt a deep sense of belonging and warmth, reflecting the thousands of years of connection between the two countries.
On his part, Prime Minister Ali said the two countries share over thousands of years of connection through trade, diplomacy, education, culture and even in our food and traditions. "These ties continue to shape a deep friendship, collaboration and mutual respect between our people," he said.
"We also appreciate your consistent message that Africa's priorities must lead the partnership. These kinds of dignified, respectful messages for Africa are very important. Mr Prime Minister, keep pushing. That is the type of message we are expecting from all our trusted friends," Ali said.
He said this aligned fully with Ethiopia's development plan - African-owned, African-led, and African-defined.
"Today, we meet with a clear focus to shape a modern partnership, grounded in sovereignty, self-reliance and practical cooperation. Our cooperation is rooted in equality and South-South solidarity," he said.
"Our economy is performing strongly. Last year, we grew 9.2% and this year we are expecting 10.3% GDP growth. Besides GDP growth, our FDI inflow is also rising big time. India is the leading source for our FDI," he said.
"We have more than 615 Indian companies which are investing in Ethiopia. This all gives our cooperation a strong foundation of trust. I think our decision today that we elevate our historic relationship to a strategic relationship is the right decision," he added.
Ethiopia also conferred its highest award - The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia - on PM Modi. He is the first global head of state to receive this award.
Prime Minister Modi also went to the Friendship Park and Friendship Square in Addis Ababa with PM Ali.
In a warm and special gesture, PM Modi was earlier received by his Ethiopian counterpart at the airport and accorded a warm and colourful welcome.
"Ethiopia is a nation with great history and vibrant culture," Modi said.
PM Ali informed his Indian counterpart about the varieties of Ethiopian coffee during informal talks.
"At Addis Ababa airport, took part in a traditional Coffee Ceremony with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. The ceremony beautifully highlights Ethiopia’s rich heritage," Modi said.
In a unique gesture, the Ethiopian Prime Minister drove Modi to the hotel.
On the way, he took a special initiative of taking PM Modi to the Science Museum and Friendship Park, which was not in the itinerary.
"Gratitude to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali for showing me glimpses of Ethiopian history and culture at the National Palace Museum in Addis Ababa. It was a powerful reminder of Ethiopia’s rich traditions," Modi said in a post on X.
The Nobel Peace Prize-winning Ethiopian PM’s special gestures show remarkable respect for Modi, sources said.
"Thank you Ethiopia for a welcome that was unforgettable. The Indian community showed remarkable warmth and affection. India-Ethiopia friendship is going to get even more robust in the times to come," Modi said.
When Modi arrived at the hotel, he was warmly welcomed by the members of the Indian community. Local artists performed dances. Some of them danced on the theme of the popular Hindi song 'Aisa Des Hai Mera' to welcome him.
On Wednesday, Modi will address the Joint Session of Parliament and share his thoughts on India's journey as the "Mother of Democracy" and the value that the India-Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South.
PM Modi arrived in Ethiopia from Jordan, where he held a one-on-one meeting with King Abdullah II at the Husseiniya Palace on Monday before the delegation-level talks.
India and Jordan also inked MoUs in the fields of culture, renewable energy, water management, digital public infrastructure and twinning arrangement between Petra and Ellora, aimed at giving a major boost to bilateral ties and friendship.
From Ethiopia, Modi will visit Oman on the final leg of this three-nation tour.
