Tamil Nadu Agriculture Minister M.R.K. Paneerselvam’s recent remarks about migrant workers, especially those from North India, have stirred controversy. Congress party supported the minister’s comments, with Congress MP Tariq Anwar stating that the issue of migration from Bihar is a universal problem. He downplayed the minister’s ‘pani-puri’ reference, calling it an undeniable truth.
The BJP criticized the Congress for backing the Tamil Nadu minister, questioning whether other parties like Samajwadi Party and RJD would also support the DMK. The DMK leader’s controversial statement about South Indians excelling in white-collar jobs while North Indians take up menial work in Tamil Nadu reignited the three-language debate. This led to strong objections from the BJP, accusing the DMK of promoting regional differences ahead of elections.
The Congress party appeared divided on the issue, with Congress MP Karti Chidambaram expressing a different stance. He welcomed workers from other states to Tamil Nadu, emphasizing the need for workforce diversity. Chidambaram criticized irresponsible comments like those made by Paneerselvam, highlighting the importance of respectful discourse. The DMK, through MP TR Baalu, clarified that the minister’s remarks were taken out of context and were not meant to offend or belittle migrant workers.
