Katchatheevu international issue, will handle it tactfully, says BJP leader Vanathi Srinivasan

CHENNAI: The National President of BJP Mahila Morcha, Vanathi Srinivasan on Monday said the retrieval of the Katchatheevu islet is an international issue and the BJP government will make all possible efforts to retrieve it.

Speaking to reporters at Kamalalayam, Vanathi Srinivasan said, “the retrieval of Katchatheevu islet is an international issue. The BJP government will make all possible efforts. Action will be taken to ensure that the rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen are not affected in and around Katchatheevu.”

Explaining various aspects of BJP’s manifesto to the reporters she said the BJP government would go beyond retrieving Katchatheevu and improve relations with neighbouring countries. “It is vital as such diplomacy by BJP will help protect India’s sovereignty and security, including river water issues with countries like China, Pakistan and Bangladesh, “ Vanathi said.

Responding to a question about not criticising AIADMK in the past, the BJP MLA said since the BJP were in alliance with AIADMK (in 2019 and 2021 elections) and added that the saffron party maintained ‘alliance Dharma.’

“Even Vaiko had made serious accusations against DMK. Why don’t you ask him why he joined hands with DMK now? We were in alliance with the AIADMK for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and 2021 Assembly elections and we were maintaining the alliance dharma. As we are not together now, we’re criticising AIADMK as a corrupt party,” she noted.

Slamming the ruling DMK, Vanathi Srinivasan said for 50 years the DMK has been doing politics as if the Tamil language belongs to them and no one can save Tamil except them.

“Our (BJP) announcement of establishing a Thiruvalluvar cultural centre, has taken the sage poet and his works worldwide, hitherto limited within Tamil Nadu. Our manifesto is not only for the next five years but also a scorecard of the progress done in the last 10 years, “ added Vanathi.