The count-down for Pongal festival has begun and Jallikattu continues to occupy centre stage as its ban has evoked a nation-wide reaction. While the central government remains firm on its decision on Jallikattu, Tamilisai Soundararajan, State President of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stated that the TN state government should pass an interim law to allow conduct of Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu
She also stated that the there is little that the central government can do in this issue as the ultimatum remains in the hands of the Supreme Court. During her interaction with the media, at the Coimbatore International Airport, she clarified the central government’s move to remove pongal from the list of official holidays.
Speaking on that, she said, “Pongal festival was in the special list of holidays for 15 years. It was not removed from any official holiday list. As pongal falls on a Saturday this year, instead of declaring a holiday, a holiday can be availed on some other day. This has been done in order to create an extra holiday for the workforce. However, this move has been misinterpreted and rumors are being spread that pongal has been removed from the official holiday list of the central government. Before getting on to protests, the protestors should first clearly understand the grounds and then go for it'
She added that “The central government is taking all necessary steps as far as the Jallikattu is concerned. As the case in pending in the Supreme Court, permission cannot be obtained for declaring an emergency law. So the BJP government at the centre and the BJP in Tamil Nadu will do whatever is necessary to conduct Jallikattu, as per the terms and law. As informed by the people of Tamil Nadu upon conducting Jallikattu despite the ban, BJP will render emotional support and stand by the people'.
A conspiracy is planned against BJP projecting us as anti-Tamil. BJP will support the conduct of Jallikattu despite the ban' she assured. While she blamed 'some' leaders for conspiring against BJP, she re-assured that welfare of the people of this state, continues to be priority for the BJP Government.