Will remove Periyar statues near Tamil Nadu temples once BJP assumes power, says Annamalai; DMK hits back

Annamalai, calling the DMK an ‘evil force’, alleged that the ruling party had been taking various measures to prevent the people from following the ‘Sanatana Dharma’. The leader was referring to the ongoing ‘Sanatan Dharma’ controversy triggered by Minister Udayanidhi Stalin.

He claimed after the DMK came to power in 1967 they erected flag masts with a plaque which read that ‘those who believe in god are fools, those who believe in god are tricked, do not believe in god’.

“They (DMK) have put up these (Periyar statues) outside all temples and erected flag masts as if they had accomplished something great. But we Hindus are living peacefully with this. Today, from the soil of Srirangam, the BJP is taking a resolution. The moment BJP comes to power in Tamil Nadu, we will remove all these flag masts and statues of those who said people who believe in god are fools and replace them with that of Tamil saint-poet Thiruvalluvar, and freedom fighters,” Annamalai said.

The BJP leader was referring to the statue of rationalist Periyar installed in front of the Srirangam temple.

Annamalai, who had been critical about the alleged irregularities in HR and CE department, said the day BJP assumes power will be the last day of the department.

In reply to Annamalai’s comments, HR and CE Minister P K Sekar Babu noted that even the sun may rise in the west, but never can BJP assume power in Tamil Nadu.

“No matter how many somersaults they make, or threaten people with IT (Income Tax) or ED (Enforcement Directorate) raids, they cannot come to power here. This is Dravidian soil. For the next 25 years, no other party except DMK can even think of assuming power in Tamil Nadu. Due to several welfare measures being implemented by the DMK government under the leadership of Chief Minister M K Stalin, there has been a 20 per cent increase in the vote share of DMK. The people of Tamil Nadu would never give authority to people like Annamalai to rule them,” Sekar Babu said.

He added that since the DMK is a party that accepts the Hindu religion, and embraces spiritualists, the BJP won’t be able to do anything and hence they are making such announcements.

DMK organising secretary R S Bharathi said Annamalai’s remarks are a diversion tactic and it was DMK who erected statues for both Periyar and Thiruvalluvar.

“The countdown for the end of Modi (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) era has started. They are going to lose the election in all five states. They will lose in the Lok Sabha polls and the INDIA alliance will assume power in the Centre,” he said.