CHENNAI: Punching holes in Opposition leader M. K. Stalin's criticism that he did not talk out issues concerning Tamil Nadu at NITI Ayog conference, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisami on Monday said he passionately raised issues like agrarian crisis, Neet, Vision 2023 and opposition to projects like hydrocarbon extraction. In a point-by-point rebuttal to Mr Stalin, Mr Palanisami said he raised every issue that concerns the state at the conference on Sunday, veering away from the agenda for the meeting set by the NITI Ayog. He also charged Mr Stalin with spreading lies and “misleading people” in a bid to bring “disrepute to the Amma government.”

Referring to Mr Stalin's charge that the Chief Minister's speech did not mention about the farmers' issue and protests over hydrocarbon extraction in Neduvasal, Mr Palanisami said he spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in detail about these issues and submitted a memorandum. “I have spoken about these two issues in my speech. The leader of Opposition is levelling false accusations against the government without reading the speech in full. He is trying to give a political colour,” the Chief Minister said, adding that the delay in according sanction to the state government legislation on exempting students from the state from appearing before Neet also found mention in his speech.

“Mr Stalin is envious of the good name that the AIADMK government has earned and hence he is leveling false charges without any evidence. My speech at the NITI Ayog conference gives a sneak preview to the good work being done by the government,” Mr Palanisami said.