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BJP Tamil Nadu President K Annamalai has expressed optimism about resolving concerns surrounding the controversial Tungsten mining project in Madurai district. In a post on X, Annamalai detailed his meeting with Union Minister of State L Murugan and Union Minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy in Delhi to address the issue.
The discussion revolved around the previously submitted representation urging the cancellation of the auctioning process for Tungsten mining in the Arittapatti and Nayakarpatti blocks of Madurai.
Annamalai said, “Our Hon Minister listened to our representation and the DMK government’s willful concealing of facts and miscommunication, leading to the protest for mining Tungsten.”
He added that Kishan Reddy had explained the timeline of events surrounding the auction and assured them that a “positive decision will be taken in the interest of the people on priority”.
Highlighting the BJP’s commitment to Tamil Nadu, Annamalai credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for prioritising the welfare of the state’s citizens. “Our Hon PM Thiru @narendramodi avl has always had the best interests of the people of Tamil Nadu in mind, and we are confident that the plight of our brothers and sisters of Arittapatti, Nayakarpatti, and surrounding villages will be answered,” he stated.
The Tungsten mining project has faced opposition from locals, citing concerns over environmental impact and displacement. Residents have staged protests, worried about threats to agriculture, water sources, and livelihoods.
Recently, the Tamil Nadu Assembly witnessed a heated debate over the Centre’s approval to the Vedanta group to mine tungsten in Madurai before passing a resolution opposing the mining project. The resolution, introduced by Water Resources Minister Durai Murugan, came in the wake of protests by residents of Arittapatti.
Earlier, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to cancel the tungsten mining rights approval in Madurai. Congress MP from Sivaganga, Karti P Chidambaram also had written to the Union Minister For Coal and Mines, G Kishan Reddy expressing deep concern over the Centre’s approval to the Vedanta group to mine tungsten in the district.
Meanwhile, CPI(M) MP Su Venkatesan was at the forefront of the opposition, urging the Tamil Nadu government to deny environmental clearances. “Arittapatti’s biodiversity and heritage cannot be sacrificed for mining profits,” he said.
Leaders like Anbumani Ramadoss of PMK and TTV Dhinakaran of AMMK echoed these concerns. Ramadoss labeled the biodiversity as unparalleled, warning of “irreversible consequences,” while Dhinakaran highlighted the environmental risks, stating, “This ecosystem must be protected at all costs.”
