The political atmosphere in Tamil Nadu heated up as the BJP and DMK exchanged barbs over an advertisement for ISRO’s upcoming spaceport. The ad, which mistakenly featured a Chinese flag, led to a controversy shortly before the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the spaceport at Kulasekarapattinam by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
BJP’s jibe was encapsulated when they wished Chief Minister MK Stalin a happy birthday in Mandarin. Meanwhile, the DMK leadership, particularly Fisheries Minister Anitha R Radhakrishnan, explained that the inclusion of the Chinese flag was an inadvertent error by the designer, assuring that their allegiance to India was steadfast.
Countering DMK’s explanation, Union Minister L Murugan from BJP argued that the DMK owes an apology to the public for the ad mishap. On February 28, during his visit to Tamil Nadu, PM Modi criticized the DMK for undermining India’s space achievements and attempting to falsely claim credit for the central government’s efforts. The new launch complex, a significant advancement for India’s space endeavors, was a moment of pride overshadowed by the controversy.