Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin during a discussion with executives from Ford Motors in the United States earlier this week
| Photo Credit: X/@mkstalin

Three years after exiting Tamil Nadu, Ford Motors has now expressed interest to restart manufacturing at its Chennai plant. The company has submitted a Letter of Intent (LOI) to the State government, outlining its intention to utilise the plant.

Kay Hart, President, International Markets Group, Ford Motor Company, in a LinkedIn post, wrote: “I am pleased to share that today we are announcing that we have submitted a Letter of Intent (LOI) to the Government of Tamil Nadu in India, outlining Ford’s intention to utilize our Chennai plant for manufacturing for export.”

She further wrote that the decision follows multiple meetings with the Tamil Nadu government, including one earlier this week with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin as part of his visit to the United States.

“We appreciate their ongoing support as we have explored different options for the plant. This step underscores our ongoing commitment to India as we intend to leverage the manufacturing expertise available in Tamil Nadu to serve new global markets,” she wrote.

“I know people will be curious, but we will have more to share about the type of manufacturing and which export markets we’ll be focusing on, along with other details, in due course,” she said.

“For right now, I’m excited that this decision will add to our growing employee base in Chennai; our global Ford Business Solutions team based there is already more than 12,000 strong and we are planning to increase that by another 2,500 to 3,000 team members in the next few years. When you add that with our engine manufacturing team in Sanand and our ongoing customer and dealer support team, India is Ford’s second-largest employee base worldwide,” she noted.

Earlier this week, Mr. Stalin met the Ford team in the United States. Post the meeting, he posted a message on X (formerly Twitter) saying: “Had a very engaging discussion with the team from Ford Motors. Explored the feasibility of renewing Ford’s three-decade partnership with Tamil Nadu, to again make in Tamil Nadu for the world.”

In 2021, Ford decided to wind down its engine and vehicle assembling plant at Maraimalai Nagar near Chennai by the second quarter of 2022. At that point, the Chennai plant had around 2,600 employees.

Ford Motor held talks with Tamil Nadu to explore producing vehicles for export, chief minister MK Stalin said, potentially signalling that the US carmaker could restart production in India after exiting the country three years ago.

Ford stopped producing cars in India for domestic sale in 2021 after struggling to boost volumes and pulled the plug on exports in 2022, effectively exiting the world’s third-largest car market which is dominated by Asian rivals.

Ford sold one of its two plants in India to Tata Motors in 2023. Its other plant, which is in Chennai in Tamil Nadu state, was shuttered.

“Had a very engaging discussion with the team from Ford Motors. Explored the feasibility of renewing Ford’s three decade partnership with Tamil Nadu, to again make in Tamil Nadu for the world,” MK Stalin said in a post on X.

Had a very engaging discussion with the team from @Ford Motors! Explored the feasibility of renewing Ford’s three decade partnership with Tamil Nadu, to again make in Tamil Nadu for the world!@TRBRajaa@Guidance_TN@TNIndMin#InvestInTN#ThriveInTN#LeadWithTN#DravidianModelpic.twitter.com/J2SbFUs8vv

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) September 11, 2024

Ford continues to explore suitable alternatives for its plant in Chennai, the automaker said in a statement.

Ford, which made its EcoSport and Endeavour SUVs in India, had a less than a 2% share of the country’s passenger vehicle market when it stopped production, having struggled for years to turn a profit.

When it stopped production, Ford said it had accumulated losses of more than $2 billion over a decade and demand for its new vehicles had been weak.

The decision to exit the market came after Ford and local automaker Mahindra & Mahindra failed to finalise a joint venture partnership that would have allowed the US company to continue making cars in India at a lower cost.

Ford continues to build engines for its Ranger pickup trucks at its factory in western India and source parts from local suppliers for global operations.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Chennai:

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has hinted at a cabinet reshuffle on his return from the US trip to draw investments to the state. There was intense speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader would elevate his son, Udhayanidhi Stalin, as his deputy and bring in a few new faces removing a few sitting ministers before his foreign trip.

Asked by reporters if there would be a change in the council of ministers, Mr Stalin said, “Only change is unchanging. Wait and see”.

Udhayanidhi Stalin, 46, is currently Tamil Nadu’s sports and youth welfare minister. He also handles the key portfolio of special programme implementation.

Udhayanidhi Stalin’s Rise In Tamil Nadu Politics

Udhayanidhi Stalin’s elevation would be a key step in strengthening the second-rung leadership in the DMK, sources have said.

This is also being seen as a key move to counter the entry of Tamil star Vijay in the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly polls.

The junior Stalin had handled DMK’s key campaign responsibility in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, 2021 assembly polls, and this year’s Lok Sabha election, which was swept by the party in the state, raising expectations of rewards.

To avert any rebellion, the party has already rewarded sons and daughters of senior leaders and made them MLAs, ministers, and  MPs. The list includes TRB Rajaa, Thangam Thennarasu, Tamilachi Thangapandian, Kathir Anand, Kalanidhi Veerasamy, MK Kanimozhi and Dayanidhi Maran.

MK Stalin’s US Visit

MK Stalin has embarked on a 17-day trip to the US to bring investments and high-end jobs to the state.

Mr Stalin’s first stop will be Silicon Valley, where he will meet with potential investors, including CEOs of global Fortune 500 companies in San Francisco. He will also meet non-resident Tamil communities in San Francisco and Chicago.

Speaking to NDTV, Tamil Nadu Industries Minister T R B Rajaa said, “Tamil Nadu is poised for significant growth, and we expect a lot of good news from the US on investments”.

“The Chief Minister will ensure that the state gets the best. You’d be excited about the outcome,” he added.

According to sources, Mr Stalin’s special focus is on areas like artificial intelligence, research and development in tech, and attracting global capacity centers.

With a vision to turn Tamil Nadu into a one trillion dollar economy by 2030, Mr Stalin’s US tour is seen as a crucial step in realizing the state’s vision of becoming a hub for high-end jobs and global investments.

This is his fourth overseas trip as Chief Minister to draw investments. The state government claims these visits and other initiatives have resulted in investment commitments worth Rs 9.3 lakh crore over the last three years, which is expected to generate 31 lakh direct and indirect jobs.

Chennai:

The Sri Lankan Navy has arrested 11 Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu for alleged maritime violation, and Chief Minister MK Stalin flagged the matter with the Centre on Saturday, seeking immediate steps for their release.

One boat was also taken into custody.

In a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Mr Stalin said, “I am writing to you with grave concern regarding yet another incident of apprehension of fishermen from Tamil Nadu.” The fishermen were apprehended while fishing southeast of Kodiakarai in Nagapattinam district, he said.

“I have repeatedly highlighted that such incidents are occurring at an alarming frequency. In 2024 alone, 324 fishermen and 44 boats were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy. The fishing community in Tamil Nadu continues to face immense hardships due to the recurrent arrests, which severely affect their means of subsistence,” he said.

Further, in the past two weeks, there have been a couple of instances of attacks on fishermen at sea by unidentified persons from Sri Lanka, and this issue needs to be addressed immediately, the Chief Minister added.

“Therefore, I urge you to initiate immediate and concrete diplomatic efforts to secure the expeditious release of all our fishermen and their fishing boats,” Mr Stalin told Mr Jaishankar.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Chennai:

Women police in the state force will be entitled to one year’s maternity leave, and upon resuming work they will be posted at a place of their choice for three years to nurture their children, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said on Friday.

It may be recalled that after capturing power in 2021, the DMK government enhanced the period of maternity leave for its employees from nine months to one year.

“Women police will be given one-year maternity leave and after returning to work, they will be posted either at the place of their husband or parents, for three years, to take care of their children,” the chief minister announced after distributing the President’s medals, Union Home Minister’s medals and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s medals to meritorious police officials and personnel at Rajarathinam stadium here.

This gesture was being extended at the request of personnel in the police department, he said.

Additionally, the professional skills of women police will be enhanced to tackle crimes against women and children so that they can handle cyber crimes effectively, the Chief Minister said.

“Your duty and responsibility is very huge. You must protect the people. Discharge your duties with dedication and serve not only to reduce crimes but also to prevent crimes,” he urged.

Tamil Nadu should be transformed into a state free from drugs and crimes, Stalin said. “Arrest the offenders if any violation takes place, he advised.” He was happy to note that the state is leading in diverse fields, including industrial development, as the law and order are being maintained well.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin will today inaugurate a mega industrial project, worth Rs 700 crore, exclusively for more than 18,000 female workers of the iPhone manufacturer, Foxconn.

The chief minister would inaugurate the first-of-its-kind-in-India industrial housing facility at the SIPCOT Vallam Vadagal industrial estate in Sriperumbudur, Kancheepuram district, along with the Foxconn chief Young Liu.

Speaking to NDTV about the project, Tamil Nadu Minister of Industries TRB Rajaa said, “This would ensure a safe, secure, clean environment for the women working in these factories.”

The mega housing has 13 blocks with 10 floors each and can accommodate 18,720 workers.

Other facilities such as kitchens, dining, power supply for 24 hours, clean water, and play area are also within the complex.

This project comes after some of these women workers had taken to the streets to protest against poor working conditions.

“A lot of good news is to come as the honourable chief minister visits the US.”

Hitting out at Tamil Nadu opposition leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami on his accusation of investments going out of Tamil Nadu, he said, “Let him wake up first.”

Chennai:

Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar over the arrest of 35 Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lanka and sought decisive action to secure their release.

Thirty-five fishermen from Ramanathapuram district were arrested on August 9 by Sri Lankan Navy and their four motorised country boats were also seized, Mr Stalin said in a letter to S Jaishankar, conveying deep anguish and concern.

“I wish to recall that just recently a delegation from Tamil Nadu that included the MPs and fishermen representatives met you after we had lost two fishermen. It is distressing to note that despite this, there has been no significant relief or respite in this regard. It is imperative that stronger diplomatic measures be pursued to ensure the immediate release of Tamil Nadu fishermen and to establish a more permanent solution to prevent such incidents from recurring,” said Mr Stalin.

The safety and security of coastal communities must be a priority, and “I hope that the government of India will take decisive action to secure the release and repatriation of all the apprehended fishermen and their fishing boats.”

The ongoing detentions of fishermen are not only causing immense hardship to the affected families but is also creating a “pervasive sense of fear and uncertainty in our coastal communities.”

Furthermore, the CM said the “psychological and financial toll on these families is devastating, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to continue their traditional way of life.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Chennai:

Two political workers from Tamil Nadu have been murdered in less than 24 hours — one of them in neighbouring Puducherry. Selvakumar, a BJP worker from Sivaganga district was found murdered last night. In neighbouring Puducherry, Padmanabhan, AIADMK’s Ward Secretary from Cuddalore district, was killed.

Selvakumar was president of the party’s district cooperative wing, and an accused in a murder case. Investigators have said the murder had its roots in personal enmity.

A senior officer told NDTV, “Selvakumar was into the brick kiln business… We have identified the suspect. Personal enmity appears to be the cause of murder”.

Padmanabhan was first hit by a car while he was returning on a motorbike. Then he was hacked to death. Investigators from Puducherry have rushed to Cuddalore. Police sources suspect this to be a revenge killing.

This is the third murder of a political functionary this month in Tamil Nadu. A few weeks ago, Armstrong, the state chief of Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party, was hacked to death by a six-member gang. Investigators called it a retaliation murder.

Armstrong was suspected of engineering the murder of an alleged rowdie, Arcot Suresh, last year.  A week later, an NTK functionary was hacked to death in Madurai. The police had attributed it to a land dispute within the family.

In Kanniyakumari, a Congress councillor’s husband, Jackson, a driver, was murdered this morning. The man was hacked to death.  The police are on the lookout for a six-member gang.

The murders have come as a huge embarrassment for the ruling DMK, which recently transferred the Chennai Police chief and the Home Secretary. The new police chief is A Arun and Dheeraj Kumar is the new Home Secretary, but one of the accused in the Armstrong murder case was shot dead after the change.

The Opposition AIADMK is targeting the ruling DMK. Its spokesperson Kovai Sathyan said the murders “clearly illustrate the lawlessness in the state and the incompetence of Chief Minister M K Stalin”.

“MK Stalin should examine if he has the moral right to continue as Chief Minister,” state BJP chief K Annamalai posted on X, formerly Twitter.

The ruling DMK says the law and order situation in the state is far better than in BJP-ruled states. Citing data from the National Crime Records Bureau, it has accused the Opposition of playing politics.

DMK spokesperson Dr Hafeezullah said, “A no-crime situation is utopian across the world. What is important is how the government responds and prevents. Chief Minister M K Stalin has dealt with these firmly and professionally”.

BJP workers, he said, are involved in several criminal cases “including murder and drugs cases and (party chief) Annamalai should introspect if he should continue as state BJP president,” he said.

Even BJP’s Tamilisai Soundarajan has said the party admitted criminals without any scrutiny, which “didn’t happen” when she headed the party.

Chennai:

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday warned Prime Minister Narendra Modi – that he will be “isolated” if he continues to target rivals rather than focus on governance.

The comments by Mr Stalin – whose DMK is part of the Congress-helmed INDIA bloc that put a major dent in the BJP’s ‘abki baar, 400 paar‘ election hopes, including handing it a second successive rout in the southern state – came as opposition leaders unload on the government and the 2024 Union Budget.

“The election is over… now we have to think about the country. Budget 2024 will save your rule… but will not save the nation. Run the government objectively… otherwise you will be isolated.”

ஒன்றிய நிதிநிலை அறிக்கையில் ஒருசில மாநிலங்கள் நீங்கலாகப் பல்வேறு மாநிலங்கள் புறக்கணிக்கப்பட்டிருப்பதைக் கண்டிக்கும் வகையில் #INDIA கூட்டணி எம்.பி.க்கள் போராட்டம் நடத்தியுள்ளார்கள்.

மாண்புமிகு பிரதமர் @narendramodi அவர்களே…

“தேர்தல் முடிந்துவிட்டது, இனி நாட்டைப் பற்றியே… pic.twitter.com/95xXotDQDa

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) July 24, 2024

“Don’t still be vindictive towards those who defeated you… you will be isolated if you govern according to your political likes and dislikes,” the Tamil leader said on X (formerly Twitter).

Tamil Nadu’s Beef With Budget

The 2024 Union Budget – the first of the Modi 3.0 government – was presented Tuesday, and triggered furious pushback, including claims it has ignored states ruled by non-BJP parties.

READ | Opposition Rajya Sabha MPs’ “Symbolic Walkout” Amid Budget Row

The Tamil Nadu government, for example, has said no provision has been made for infrastructure projects like the second phase of the Chennai Metro Rail and similar developments in Coimbatore.

There was also no provision, the DMK has said, for funds for restoration of flood-hit areas in Chennai and southern districts; the state asked for Rs 37,000 crore but has received only Rs 276 crore so far.

There was also no mention of special projects for the state.

This has led to a perception, shared by the AIADMK, the Tamil Nadu opposition party earlier allied with the BJP – that the state is, in fact, being ignored by Prime Minister Modi’s government.

DMK spokesperson A Saravanan pointed out Tamil Nadu “contributes 10 times (more tax, to the Indian economy) than Bihar… We are the biggest tax contributor.”

Niti Aayog Boycott

Non-BJP states’ unhappiness was underlined by four opposition chief ministers skipping Saturday’s Niti Aayog meeting. Apart from Mr Stalin, this list includes three Congress-ruled leaders – Siddaramaiah (Karnataka), Revanth Reddy (Telangana), and Sukhvinder Sukhu (Himachal Pradesh).

READ | Unhappy With Budget 2024, 4 CMs To Skip NITI Aayog Meet

The meeting is to be chaired by Mr Modi, and the absentees are being seen as a moment of acute embarrassment for the central government.

BJP’s Counter-Attack

The BJP’s state boss, K Annamalai, is leading the charge.

In a detailed post on social media, Mr Annamalai slammed the Chief Minister’s comments and action, including skipping the Niti Aayog meeting, as “ridiculous”. He also claimed Tamil Nadu had not been mentioned in six of 10 budgets presented by the Congress-led UPA I and II governments.

நமது மாண்புமிகு பாரதப் பிரதமர் திரு @narendramodi அவர்கள் தலைமையிலான மத்திய அரசு, 2024-25ஆம் ஆண்டுக்கான நிதிநிலை அறிக்கையை நேற்றைய தினம் தாக்கல் செய்துள்ளது. ஏழை எளிய மக்கள், பெண்கள், இளைஞர்கள், விவசாயிகள் என அனைத்துத் தரப்பினரும் பயனடையும்படி, வெகு சிறப்பானதாக அமைந்துள்ள இந்த… pic.twitter.com/22JEwRQ0Rj

— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) July 24, 2024

“Chief Minister Stalin is trying to create an impression that no welfare schemes will be made available to states other than those named (in the Union Budget).”

“When DMK was allied with Congress for ten years, Tamil Nadu did not appear in budgets filed for six years. Will you say (in that time), centre did not provide any programs to Tamil Nadu?” he asked.

BJP’s Bihar, Andhra Pradesh Packages

Ms Sitharaman’s speech had listed packages for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, run by key BJP allies. Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu’s parties ensure the BJP is above the 272-seat majority mark.

The JDU and the TDP had each demanded special status for their states ahead of the budget. Both demands were turned down, leading to buzz one or both parties could withdraw its support.

READ | In Budget 2024, Lok Sabha Election Effect For Bihar, Andhra

That speculation was swiftly junked by senior leaders from each party, and has been silenced, for now, after Ms Sitharaman announced a slew of special packages for each state.

READ | Nirmala Sitharaman’s “Audacity” Counter To Trinamool’s Budget Charge

The Finance Minister, under fire over alleged favouritism, hit back strongly this morning, telling the opposition, in Parliament, “…in every budget, you don’t get an opportunity to name every state…”

Pointing to Maharashtra, a state the BJP rules with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s NCP factions, she said, “If my speech does not mention a state… does it mean Government of India schemes don’t go to these states?” she asked.

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Chennai:

Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday said Tamil Nadu has been completely ignored in the Union Budget and to condemn it, he said he will boycott the July 27 NITI Aayog meet in Delhi, which will be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Terming the budget a big disappointment, the Chief Minister said he felt that it is appropriate to boycott the NITI Aayog meet, since the Centre has totally ignored Tamil Nadu.

DMK MPs will stage a protest in Delhi on July 24 over the Union Budget.

“In order to establish Tamil Nadu’s rights, we will continue to fight in the people’s court.” Speaking to reporters, MK Stalin said that in order to satisfy a few regional parties that made a ‘minority BJP’ into ‘majority BJP’, schemes have announced in the Budget for a few states, apparently referring to Bihar and Andhra Pradesh.

Though such schemes have been announced by the Centre, it is doubtful whether these will be implemented. Though the Union government had announced ‘Metro Rail scheme’ for Tamil Nadu, no fund allocation has been made for it (Chennai Metro Rail Phase-2) and the state is being deceived till date, MK Stalin said.

Similarly, there is no guarantee that Bihar and Andhra Pradesh will not share Tamil Nadu’s fate in future.

“Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has forgotten all the states barring those that sustain this government. There is no special scheme for the state. None of our demands have been fulfilled.” Asked whether he thought that the big win of the DMK and its allies in the recent Lok Sabha polls was the reason for the Centre ignoring the state, he said, “they are angered to such an extent against the Tamil Nadu people.” Both Tamil Nadu and the Tirukkural, which PM Modi had said he loved, found not even a mention in the Budget.

Rather than saying that the word Tamil Nadu does not figure in the Budget, it will be better to say that Tamil Nadu does not form a part of the BJP regime’s thought process and in the work plan. The budget shows a partisan attitude and there is only disappointment.

Tamil Nadu witnessed two natural disasters (cyclones, deluge) in the recent past and the state had sought Rs 37,000 crore assistance from the Centre. However, so far only Rs 276 crore has been released.

“This is a big injustice for Tamil Nadu people,” he said. In the case of Bihar alone, Rs 11,500 crore is set to be given by the Centre for disaster relief.

He recalled his wish list for Tamil Nadu, which includes funds for ongoing Chennai Metro Rail Phase-2 work, Metro Rail schemes for Madurai and Coimbatore and said none of the representations of the state has been considered for announcement in the Budget.

Commenting on the Budget features, he said it appears to be a replica of the Tamil Nadu budget. For example, it is notable that the Union Budget says that 20 lakh youngsters will be provided skill enhancement coaching across the country during the next five years.

“However, in Tamil Nadu alone, in a year, we are providing skill development coaching to over 15 lakh young people.” “The Finance Minister has copied several Tamil Nadu schemes that are being successfully implemented. However, why she has not announced even one big scheme for Tamil Nadu as a mark of thanksgiving for borrowing Tamil Nadu’s schemes.” 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)