CPI(M) State secretary K. Balakrishnan on Saturday accused Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman of “indulging in vendetta politics” to turn the people in the flood-affected areas against the Tamil Nadu government.
“You can certainly make an allegation. But release the amount sought by the State government to undertake relief work first. The Tamil Nadu government has sought ₹21,000 crore from the Centre. Have you even released ₹21 yet,” he asked, during a press conference.
When asked about the allegation that the government was not able to contain the damage even after building a storm-water drain network at a cost of ₹4,000 crore, Mr. Balakrishnan said the amount was just 4% of the total amount sought by the AIADMK and DMK governments from 2015 to 2022 for carrying out the work.
