‘Dabba engine’ will not run in Tamil Nadu, says CM Stalin amid fresh clash over development and state rights

‘Dabba engine’ will not run in Tamil Nadu, says CM Stalin, making it clear that the state will not accept what he described as empty promises from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance at the Centre. The Chief Minister’s remarks came soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Tamil Nadu, where the Centre once again promoted the idea of a “double-engine government” for faster development.

Chief Minister M K Stalin strongly rejected this claim and said Tamil Nadu has grown steadily without political alignment with the Union government. According to him, the state’s progress is based on long-term planning, social welfare policies, and strong administrative systems, not election-time visits or slogans. He said the so-called double-engine model does not suit Tamil Nadu’s needs or political culture.

Stalin highlighted that Tamil Nadu continues to perform well in education, health, industrial growth, and social development, even while facing what he described as repeated obstacles from the Centre. He urged a comparison of development indicators between states governed by the BJP and those run by non-BJP parties, stating that states outside the “double-engine” framework have shown stronger and more balanced growth.

‘Dabba engine’ will not run in Tamil Nadu, says CM Stalin while listing ignored state demands

Using the term dabba, the Chief Minister questioned repeated promises that have not turned into action. Expanding on his criticism, Stalin listed several long-pending demands that he said the Union government has failed to address. A major concern raised was the delay in releasing funds under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, which supports school education across the state. The Chief Minister said withholding education funds affects students directly and goes against the spirit of cooperative federalism.

He also demanded clarity on the proposed parliamentary delimitation exercise, expressing concern that Tamil Nadu could lose representation despite its success in population control. According to Stalin, states should not be punished for implementing effective social policies.

The Chief Minister further accused the Centre of neglecting the Tamil language and culture. He stated that Tamil Nadu has always protected its linguistic identity and will continue to do so, regardless of pressure from New Delhi. He also sought assurance that employment schemes like MGNREGA would continue without shifting the financial burden onto state governments.

In addition, Stalin called for scrapping the proposed VB-G RAM G model, arguing that it does not suit Tamil Nadu’s economic and social conditions. He said policy decisions must consider regional realities rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all approach.

 ‘Dabba engine’ will not run in Tamil Nadu, says CM Stalin as project delays draw attention

Another major focus of Stalin’s criticism was the delay in several important infrastructure and welfare projects. He pointed to the long-pending Madurai AIIMS project, stating that repeated announcements have not translated into real progress on the ground. The Chief Minister also highlighted delays in disaster relief assistance for Tamil Nadu, especially after natural calamities.

Approvals for key infrastructure projects such as the Hosur airport and Metro Rail projects in Coimbatore and Madurai were also raised as major concerns. According to Stalin, these projects are crucial for regional development, job creation, and urban mobility, but continue to face unnecessary delays from the Centre.

He reiterated Tamil Nadu’s demand for exemption from NEET, stating that the state’s education system has its own strengths and should be allowed to function without external pressure. He also demanded the immediate release of the Keezhadi excavation report, calling it an important part of Tamil history and identity.

Supporting the Chief Minister’s stance, senior leaders from the ruling party said people are looking for clear answers and action, not speeches. They raised concerns over voter-related issues, unequal language funding, delays in transport projects, and the continued detention of Tamil Nadu fishermen and boats by Sri Lanka. Also Read: Double Engine’ has failed everywhere, will never take off in TN: Stalin tells Modi

Conclusion

In conclusion, ‘Dabba engine’ will not run in Tamil Nadu, says CM Stalin reflects a deeper political message. The dabba remark quickly drew attention across political circles in the state. The state government has made it clear that development, dignity, and federal rights matter more than political alignment. For the state government, dabba promises without action will no longer be accepted. As national attention on Tamil Nadu grows, the demand for fairness and respect from the Centre remains at the heart of the debate.