Pointing several instances of DMK Ministers' behaviour toward Ministers from oppressed classes, Annamalai slammed the DMK on questioning BJP's social justice.
Coimbatore: BJP State President Annamalai inaugurated the Palani Padayatra that BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan embarked upon on Monday.
Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the Padayatra, Annamalai said,
"There is no denying the fact that MLA Vanathi Srinivasan's pilgrimage will be a historic and victorious journey. Various issues and questions have been raised as to why Rahul Gandhi's walkathon was launched. No one saw the expected surge. Three days ago in Tamil Nadu, a Minister threw stones at him. Another minister beats the worker on the stage. T R Balu spoke proudly of the demolition of the temple. At the same time, when he finishes speaking, he says that he has built a big temple."
"We also saw a video of Ministers urging people to work for Congress candidates in Erode yesterday. A V Velu says that the video was edited and released. Then, I challenge him to present the original video. We are also handing over the video to the Tamil Nadu police and the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu should subject the video to scrutiny.
Minister K N Nehru has spoken in the most derogatory language against the Minister in charge of the Nilgiris. What we have to see in the video is that if someone from the oppressed class takes over as a Minister, what kind of words does K N Nehru speak to the Minister? You have to see. They are talking to us about social justice.
The BJP is going to hand over this video to the Election Commission. I am ready to quit politics if A V Velu proves that the video has been edited. If it is proved to be an unedited video, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister should publicly apologise to the public," demanded Annamalai.
BJP leader Annamalai further added, "The DMK leader made derogatory remarks against a Scheduled Caste youth for entering a temple in Salem. This is happening not only in Salem but also in various places. What right does the DMK have to talk about social justice? Even after 30 days in the Vengaivayal case, the culprits are yet to be traced and handed over to the CBI. As far as the Erode by-election is concerned, what I said is that the existing ministers will make a list and distribute the money.
As far as the BJP is concerned, a strong candidate has to stand up and get more votes and win. This is not an election for us (BJP). The election for us is slated to be held in 2024. In the last 45 days, the BJP has taken various groups from Tamil Nadu to Delhi. We have made a meeting with the Finance Minister and others there. This budget is a budget for the industry which will strengthen the concept of Atma Nirbha Bharat."
"We have no problem with whoever puts up the BBC documentary in Tamil Nadu since it is fake news. If it is screened, none of the BJP workers will stop it. Release it in theatres too. The public who are watching all this are going to have a lot more respect for Modi," challenged Annamali.
"Migrant workers get an advantage even when they are working for a lower salary in another State. The Uttar Pradesh Government is heading towards the next phase of economic development in the State. In a few years' time, the Government of Uttar Pradesh will rank second in India and Tamil Nadu at the fourth position. If this trend continues in 10 years, no one from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh will come to Tamil Nadu to do business. Ten days ago, I had questioned who would look after the work here.
So, if anyone thinks that anyone can do politics with those who come here, it is wrong. When the Cauvery issue comes up in Karnataka, if someone says that Tamils should leave, the BJP will fight the first fight irrespective of which party is at the helm. The people of Tamil Nadu are also working in various States. Will anyone tell them to come here? At the same time, other State Governments bring a resolution and ask the Tamils to leave saying that it is their own people who should have the jobs.
The people of Tamil Nadu should think about where they will go. If governments like Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka start doing this, lakhs of Tamils will have to come back. We ourselves are going to say that in the next 10 years, there will be no manpower to work in Tamil Nadu. Politicians are going to say too. The BJP will never compromise our Chief Minister even if the BJP and the Chief Minister have various issues. Also, we will not give up on the TN Governor. Those in between, are the ones who are playing politics over all this," slammed Annamalai.