Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday strongly criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks in Parliament asking citizens to be prepared for the impact of the West Asia conflict, saying preparedness is the Centre’s responsibility, not the people’s. In a post on X, Stalin questioned whether the government was ready to act, asking if people were being asked to prepare for leadership or its absence. He pointed out that he had written to the Prime Minister on March 11 seeking urgent measures, including uninterrupted LPG supply, rescue of Tamils stranded in Gulf countries, and revised gas allocation for power plants.

Stalin said that despite these requests and protests by opposition parties on March 12, there was no response from the Centre. He added that the Tamil Nadu government then took independent action on March 14, announcing relief steps such as electricity subsidies for businesses shifting from LPG, loans for MSMEs to adopt electric alternatives, and regulatory relaxations for industries.

He also mentioned steps to support farmers, including allowing free sale of produce in 194 farmers’ markets amid disruptions. Criticising the Centre’s inaction, Stalin said protests were held across Tamil Nadu on March 15 over the government’s lack of preparedness. He questioned the Prime Minister’s call for public readiness, asking what concrete steps the Centre had taken to protect citizens, and concluded that the key concern remains whether the Prime Minister is prepared to safeguard the country.

Stalin’s remarks came after PM Modi addressed the Lok Sabha about the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict, which he said has entered its fourth week and poses serious challenges to India, especially in energy security and trade. The Prime Minister described the situation as worrying, noting its impact on the global economy, and said India has been urging de-escalation through diplomacy. He also warned of long-term effects and stressed the need for preparedness.

Modi highlighted that around one crore Indians live in Gulf countries, making the situation more concerning. He said the government has taken steps to ensure their safety, manage evacuations, and maintain fuel supplies despite disruptions, adding that over 3.75 lakh Indians have returned safely, including about 1,000 evacuated from Iran.