BJP, AIADMK spar over terror comment

Speaking to reporters here, Tamilisai slammed Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam’s remarks that the state remained a haven of peace and said, “In Tamil Nadu claimed to be a haven of peace, anti-socials are cutting cakes using machete. The warning is given by the Union Minister only to prevent the state becoming a haven of terrorists. The government had failed in maintaining law and order.” Tamilisai said the BJP leaders had requested the Prime Minister to form the Cauvery Management Board. 

Citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement that Tamil is an older language than Sanskrit, she said if he had said it vice versa, it could have become headline news in Tamil Nadu. The BJP alone could protect and promote Tamil, she added. 

Indicating that the BJP state leaders had come together on the issue of terrorist camps in state, the party’s national secretary H Raja too supported the Union Minister’s allegations and said, “The Union Minister’s statement is correct.” When asked about OPS’s reply that the charges are blatant lies, Raja in a characteristic style said, “Those who are denying it are out of their minds.” Reacting to the charges of BJP leaders, Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar said, “Terrorism will be crushed in whatever form it takes. But, at the same time we will not hesitate to crack the whip on ‘communal politics’ here,’’ he added. The minister said the AIADMK government is working closely with the Centre for the development of Tamil Nadu. But, at the same, the party would not sacrifice state autonomy, he asserted.

Jayakumar further said he could not comment on the negotiations between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Panneerselvam. “There is nothing wrong if anyone including the PM had asked the AIADMK leaders to come together to keep Sasikala family away.” Meanwhile, Dairy Development Minister KT Rajendra Bhalaji in Tiruchy said, “We have only administrative tie-up with the BJP and there is no political connection.”