AIADMK passes resolution against TN BJP chief Annamalai over his remark on Jayalalithaa

“Amma served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for 16 years and brought many schemes for the welfare of the public and inspired other states to implement them. Without any political experience or maturity, BJP leader Annamalai has passed such comments intentionally (against Jayalalithaa) with a motive and the AIADMK strongly condemns it,” he said.

AIADMK leaders and party workers have been criticising Annamalai after he indirectly accused her of being corrupt during the interview.

Edappadi said national leaders including former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani had great respect towards “Amma” (Jayalalithaa) and even Prime Minister Narendra Modi met her at her residence. The AIADMK leader added that it was due to the party’s support that the BJP was able to assume power at the Centre in 1998. The BJP also has four MLAs in the state Assembly now due to the AIADMK’s support.

AIADMK cadres had gathered in large numbers for Tuesday’s meeting. Women supporters of the state’s main Opposition party said that if Annamalai spoke against “Amma” again, they would not hesitate to lay siege to his residence.

After former Tamil Nadu minister and senior AIADMK leader D Jayakumar came down heavily on Annamalai on Tuesday, other leaders including C Ve Shanmugam and Pollachi Jayaraman also criticised him. Jayaraman said “no one has the right to comment on Amma” and the party high command will take a call on future ties with the BJP in the wake of Annamalai’s remarks.

Shanmugam added that if Annamalai did not wish to associate with the AIADMK, he could opt out of the alliance. “Annamalai has no quality to talk about Amma. All top national leaders including the current Prime Minister went all the way to Poes Garden to seek support. Amma never went behind them,” Shanmugam said.

On Monday, the Puducherry AIADMK cadres carrying party flags raised slogans against Annamalai and said they will urge the party’s high command to reconsider the alliance with BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Tamil Nadu BJP vice-president Karu Nagarajan also issued a statement on Monday condemning Jayakumar for speaking ill about Annamalai without understanding the full context of his remarks. He said Annamalai did not enter politics for power or position but for public welfare.

“Our leader has been raising his voice against corruption since day one. He is focused on setting the system right for the welfare of Tamil Nadu and people here know that he speaks directly from the heart. Jayakumar is sawing off the branch he is sitting on. You are only going to get affected by these remarks,” Nagarajan said.

The BJP leader further said that Jayakumar might be frustrated because Union Home Minister Amit Shah interacted with party functionaries from South Chennai constituency and it could hamper his son Jayavardhan’s chances of contesting from there.

Senior BJP leader Pon Radhakrishnan also condemned Jayakumar’s comments and said that when it comes to alliance everyone is equal.

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