’Proud Indian’: Congress MP clarifies ’separate country for South India’ remark

mangaloretoday.com

Bengaluru, Feb 01, 2024: Congress MP DK Suresh has clarified his "separate country for South India" remark, saying that he only tried to bring to notice the "injustice in funds distribution" by the BJP-led central government.

Reacting to the Union Budget presented in Parliament on Thursday, DK Suresh had said that "injustice was being served to South India" as the Centre was diverting funds meant for the southern states to North India.

DK Suresh said that there was no other choice but to ask for a "separate country" as a "result of the situation that Hindi-region has imposed on South India".

His remarks drew sharp criticism from the ruling BJP, with party leaders including Tejasvi Surya and R Ashoka accusing him of playing the "divide and rule policy".

Later in the day, DK Suresh posted a thread on X (formerly Twitter) clarifying his remarks.

"A proud Indian and a proud Kannadiga! South India and especially Karnataka have faced the brutality of injustice in funds distribution. Even after being the 2nd largest GST-contributing state, the Centre has been utterly unjust to Karnataka and Southern states while states like Gujarat have seen a 51 per cent hike. If this is not injustice, then what is?" he asked.

"We are sons of this soil and need funds for our developmental activities. Even after repeated requests for funds for developmental activities and drought relief, the Centre has continued to turn a deaf ear to us," he added.

DK Suresh said that he stands by the unity and integrity of India as a "proud Indian and Congressman".

"I shall also continue to raise my voice against injustice towards Karnataka, no matter what. Jai Hind! Jai Karnataka," he said.

Courtesy: India Today