Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], April 7 (ANI): Tamil Nadu BJP President K AnnamalaiTon Monday expressed disappointment over the absence of Chief Minister MK Stalin during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Rameswaram, claiming that Stalin's decision not to welcome the PM was driven by political reasons.

'It is disappointing that Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin did not reach Rameswaram to welcome PM Modi for political reasons. The PM had dedicated Rs 8,300 crore to projects for people in Tamil Nadu. Yesterday, 14 of our fishermen were released; we believe the rest will also be released soon,' Annamalai stated, highlighting the benefits of the PM's visit to the state.

Regarding speculation over a potential leadership change in the Tamil Nadu BJP, Annamalai clarified his position.

He said, 'I have spoken a lot about it. I will continue to be a BJP worker, I will be on the field. I have been standing without wearing chappals for four months with a firm decision to dethrone DMK from power. Let someone do organisational work as a State president. Being a State president is just a position.'

Annamalai emphasized that his commitment to the BJP was rooted in his admiration for Prime Minister Modi, not party ideology.

'I joined the BJP by looking at PM Modi, not at Ideology or the party. I will follow whatever he says. I will continue to expose the corruption of DMK,' he added.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of neglecting the State government's demands regarding the release of fishermen from Sri Lankan prisons.

The Chief Minister pointed out that before PM Modi's recent visit to Sri Lanka, he wrote to him urging him to press for the release of Tamil Nadu fishermen during his talks with the neighbouring country's leadership. But the fishermen have not reached their homeland, and it was disappointing, the Chief Minister said.

'On 02.04.2025, we passed a resolution in the assembly to stop Tamil Nadu fishermen from being continuously arrested by the Sri Lankan navy. That resolution was passed to find a permanent solution. In the resolution, we requested to retrieve Katchatheevu Island, release fishermen from Sri Lankan prisons, and return the boats captured by the Sri Lankan navy,' Stalin said in the State Assembly.

'We mentioned in the resolution that PM Modi should take action by speaking with the Sri Lankan government when he visits Sri Lanka. We also sent that resolution immediately to the Prime Minister... We had expected 97 fishermen and their boats to reach their homeland, but it has not happened yet... The Union Government and the Prime Minister are neglecting our demands. However, we will not fail to protect our fishermen's livelihood. DMK government will stand with the fishermen,' he added.

The Chief Minister said it was worrying that Tamil Nadu coastal area fishermen had been frequently arrested in the last few months.

'Fishermen from Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Pudukottai, Tiruvarur, Nagercoil, and Thanjavur are continuously affected because of arrests made by the Sri Lankan navy. Though the Union government is being pressured by us to take action for the fishermen's welfare, our fishermen are being arrested, and boats are being captured by the Sri Lankan navy. So, the Tamil Nadu government have taken a few initiatives as part of the solution to this problem,' he said.

'The Tamil Nadu Government has issued an order to establish a fishing port at Thangachimadam in the Mannar Gulf region at a cost of Rs150 crore. This port will facilitate fishermen to go deep-sea fishing in the southern part of the Indian Ocean. The construction work will begin soon,' he added. (ANI)