Tamil Nadu Finance Minister's Language Skills Under Fire: A Political Storm Brews

The Tamil Nadu finance minister's poor Tamil language has created a major political storm in the state. The DMK and the BJP have launched a scathing attack on the minister, after which the minister has also given a befitting reply to his critics. DMK MLA TM Rajendran remarked in the assembly that Finance Minister N. Mary Wilson's speech during the budget presentation on 5 August had Tamil grammar mistakes and Wilson had started speaking English in between. Rajendran said that at least in the future whenever he gets an opportunity, the finance minister should speak impeccable Tamil. Taking strong objection to Rajendran's criticism of his Tamil, Wilson defended his communication style. He said his main focus is on governance and state's progress rather than linguistic formalities. Hitting back at the DMK MLA, Wilson said, "Don't advise me about Tamil. This is my own unique style. I can't just speak it in front of you or take it for granted. I can't change Shaheen Shah Afridi's captaincy again!