Ahead of Lok Sabha polls, PM Narendra Modi, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin hardsell their achievements

TRICHY: In a soft launch of their campaigns for the Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister M K Stalin called attention to their respective governments' achievements sharing the dias at two events in Trichy on Tuesday.
Modi played to Tamil sentiments, addressing the gathering at Bharathidasan University convocation as 'Enathu maanava kudumbame' (my student family) and 'Enathu Tamil kudumba sondhangale' (my Tamil relatives).Stalin said the 'Dravidian model' government has created all the infrastructure for higher education in the state and that has resulted in making Tamil Nadu the 'hub of higher education'.
On the floods wreaking havoc in Chennai and southern districts of Tamil Nadu, that had become a major point of contention between the Centre and the state, Modi said, "We are providing all possible help to the state government."
Stalin said, "Placing requests in the interest of states and upholding federal rights is the wish of the people, not political slogans." He hoped the PM would fulfil the requests.
The audience too made clear political affiliations. At the event at Trichy international airport, the audience, mostly BJP cadre, raised slogans with 'Bharat' and 'Modi' in them whenever Stalin referred to the Union government as 'ondriya arasu' in his speech in Tamil. Modi gestured to the cadre to keep quiet.
Starting off with the slogan 'Bharat Mata ki jai' amidst loud cheering by BJP cadre, Modi praised Tamil Nadu, Tamil culture and Tamil language during his first visit to Trichy after nearly a decade.
CM Stalin says Union government needs to do more
Modi spoke about the importance accorded to TN by the Centre. He said 40 Union ministers toured Tamil Nadu more than 400 times over the past one year.
However, Stalin said the Centre needs to do more. In his speech at Trichy airport, he urged Modi to declare the recent floods as a 'severe natural calamity' and release adequate financial aid to the affected people.
Modi said this was his first public interaction in 2024. "I am happy to be in the beautiful state of Tamil Nadu and among young people. I am also glad to learn that I am the first Prime Minister to have the privilege of coming to a convocation here," said Modi at the Bharathidasan University. "India will progress with the progress of Tamil Nadu," he said.
Placing the sacred 'Sengol' (sceptre) in the new Parliament building and organising Kashi and Saurashtra Tamil Sangamams were efforts that have led to increased enthusiasm for Tamil culture throughout the country, the Prime Minister said.
Modi paid rich tributes to actor and DMDK leader Vijayakant, who died recently after a prolonged illness.
"He was a 'Captain' not only in the field of cinema but also in politics. He won the hearts of the people through his work and films and kept the national interest above everything," said Modi.
For his part, Stalin spoke about the Dravidian model governance of the DMK government. Stalin, who delivered the special address at the convocation, listed out the schemes being implemented, and measures being taken to strengthen higher education.
"Tamil Nadu, which touches the peak in all spheres, plays a crucial role in India's economy," he said at the Trichy international airport.
After they participated in the 38th convocation of Bharathidasan University (BDU), Modi and Stalin, accompanied by Union and state ministers, proceeded to the Trichy International Airport where the PM inaugurated the new integrated terminal building constructed at a cost of ₹1,112crore. The PM inaugurated, dedicated to the nation, and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth ₹20,140crore.