Tamil Nadu BJP coordination committee leader H. Raja made strong and critical remarks during his interaction with journalists in Tiruchirapalli. He stated:
- BJP Membership Drive:
Before the BJP’s organizational elections, an intensive membership drive is underway. Forms are being distributed across regions to increase the base membership of the party. - Criticism Against DMK:
H. Raja accused the DMK of trying to take the state back to a pre-1963 period, suggesting that the party’s foreign wing was involved in illicit activities like drug trafficking. He alleged that the DMK was operating as an openly anti-national organization. - Overseas Wing and Indian Map Controversy:
He pointed out that the DMK’s overseas wing released a map depicting Kashmir as not part of India, which he claimed even foreign nations, including Pakistan, do not do. He demanded that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin publicly apologize for this act. - Allegations Against Udhayanidhi Stalin:
Raja criticized DMK’s Udhayanidhi Stalin, claiming that after his entry, the party’s standards had declined, leading to a loss of public trust. He also condemned Udhayanidhi for his derogatory remarks about the Tamil Nadu Governor over a minor issue where a line from the Tamil Thai Vazhthu (Tamil anthem) was mistakenly omitted during a Doordarshan broadcast. Raja insisted that if CM Stalin wants to uphold civilized politics, he should remove Udhayanidhi from the cabinet. - AIADMK – BJP Relations:
Addressing speculations about central government actions in Tamil Nadu, Raja clarified that the income tax raids were not conducted to bring AIADMK back into the BJP fold, as some media claimed. He stressed that the central government had no such intentions and urged the media not to spread such narratives. - Railway Safety Under BJP:
Raja highlighted the reduction in railway accidents under BJP rule, stating that while there were 171 accidents per year during the Congress administration, the number had dropped to 71 annually under the BJP, emphasizing an improvement in safety. - Temple Property Issues:
He accused the DMK government of increasing the seizure and encroachment of temple properties, which he said had intensified under their rule. - Remarks on Vijay:
Referring to actor Vijay, Raja stated that by following the ideologies of Periyar, Vijay was showcasing his “color” (implying his ideological stance). He added a pointed remark: “If Vijay is supporting those who, when the British left India, hoped to rule Chennai from London, then he is siding with anti-national forces, and the people will realize this.” - State of the DMK Alliance:
Raja also commented on the alliances, stating that DMK’s allies, including Congress, Communist parties, and MDMK, were working in favor of the DMK. He accused DMK of handing over Tamil Nadu to separatist forces.
H. Raja’s Statements in Summary:
H. Raja’s remarks were filled with sharp criticisms against the DMK, Udhayanidhi Stalin, Vijay, and other political figures. His comments aimed to highlight the BJP’s achievements and accuse the DMK of failures, especially in matters concerning national integrity. The controversy over the DMK overseas wing’s actions with the Indian map has created political turbulence, and Raja used this opportunity to demand accountability from CM Stalin.
He also emphasized the BJP’s ongoing membership drive and prepared for the upcoming general elections, portraying the BJP as a party focused on progress and safety.
