"Happy Birthday In His Favourite Language": BJP Tamil Nadu Mocks MK Stalin (image-X/BJP4TamilNadu)
The official social media handle of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s state unit in Tamil Nadu extended birthday wishes to Chief Minister MK Stalin on X (formerly known as Twitter). However, what makes the tweet noteworthy is that it is written in Mandarin.
The gesture comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised CM Stalin following an advertisement faux pas. Celebrating the commencement of construction for a launchpad at Kulasekarapattinam, the advertisement mistakenly depicted a rocket bearing the Chinese flag symbol at its end.
In response to the incident, BJP Tamil Nadu took a dig by wishing Stalin a happy birthday in Mandarin, calling it “his favourite language”. Alongside the birthday greeting, the party shared an image featuring the Mandarin text with a photo of a smiling Stalin.
The post also included a follow-up comment with a clarification regarding the meaning of the text, urging those who are interested to wish the Tamil Nadu CM in Mandarin. The translated text read, “Happy birthday Stalin! Wish you a long and healthy life!”
On behalf of @BJP4Tamilnadu, here’s wishing our Honourable CM Thiru @mkstalin avargal a happy birthday in his favourite language! May he live a long & healthy life! pic.twitter.com/2ZmPwzekF8
— BJP Tamilnadu (@BJP4TamilNadu) March 1, 2024
The advertisement blunder, which displayed the Chinese flag on the rocket instead of the Indian flag, prompted sharp criticism from PM Modi during a public address in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. Modi accused the DMK, the ruling party in the state, of attempting to take undue credit for central government schemes and undermining India”s achievements in the space sector.
PM Modi expressed his displeasure by emphasising the importance of acknowledging India”s progress in space exploration and condemning the DMK”s alleged disregard for the country”s achievements. He said, “DMK is a party that does not work but seeks to take false credit for central schemes. They paste their stickers on our schemes. Now they have crossed limits by pasting China’s sticker to take credit for the ISRO launchpad in Tamil Nadu.”
The PM further accused the party of not wanting to present India’s space success in front of the world and had insulted Indian scientists, the Indian space sector, and the tax money of the public. He urged voters to hold the DMK accountable for its actions and punish them for their misdeeds ahead of Lok Sabha elections.
திமுகவின் இன்றைய விளம்பரம் நகைப்புக்குரியதாக உள்ளது. அவர்கள் இந்திய அறிவியலையும், இந்திய விண்வெளித் துறையையும் அவமதித்துள்ளனர், அதற்காக அவர்கள் மன்னிப்பு கேட்க வேண்டும். pic.twitter.com/ientAZ4xoV
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 28, 2024
In response, the DMK accused the prime minister of turning a “blind eye” to Chinese incursions in Arunachal Pradesh and along the Line of Control in the Eastern Ladakh region. DMK MP P Wilson took to X and wrote, “The Prime Minister can see the Chinese flag in a paper ad with hawk eye vision, yet, has turned a blind eye in the past 10 years to reports of the Chinese flag being unfurled in Indian territory.” He further criticised the the central government”s failure to “preserve and protect India”s sovereign borders and land.”
The Hon. Prime Minister can see Chinese flag in a paper ad with hawk eye vision, yet, has turned a blind eye in the past 10 years to reports of Chinese flag being unfurled in Indian territory. Media has reported that China continues its incursions and breaches the Line of…
— P. Wilson (@PWilsonDMK) February 29, 2024
