DMK Minister Acknowledges ‘Small Mistake’ in Chinese Rocket Image Ad Criticized by PM Modi
Chennai, 1st March 2024: In response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s criticism of the DMK government over a Chinese rocket image in an advertisement for a new ISRO facility, Tamil Nadu minister Anitha Radhakrishnan from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) acknowledged a “small mistake.” Radhakrishnan admitted that the image of the Chinese flag in the advertisement, welcoming PM Modi, was an oversight by those who designed the ad.
Addressing the issue, Radhakrishnan informed ANI, “There was a minor error in the newspaper advertisement we released concerning the establishment of a rocket launch pad in the Kulasekarapattinam region. The inclusion of the Chinese flag in the advertisement, extending a welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was an oversight by the designers of the ad, and unfortunately, it escaped our attention.”
PM Modi had criticized the DMK government during an address in Tirunelveli, accusing them of pasting China’s sticker to falsely claim credit for the ISRO facility in Tamil Nadu. Modi asserted that the advertisement insulted India’s scientists and the space sector, urging accountability for such actions.
The BJP, represented by Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai, alleged that the ad demonstrated DMK’s alignment with China. Meanwhile, DMK MP Kanimozhi countered Modi’s remarks, stating that India had not declared China an enemy country and highlighting previous diplomatic interactions between PM Modi and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
