MHAA ex-president Paul Kanagaraj next prominent face to join BJP

Chennai

Paul Kanagaraj has been the president of Madras High Court Advocates Association and is also the founder of Tamil Maanila Katchi. Kanagaraj had unsuccessfully contested in the RK Nagar Assembly elections against former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa as an independent forfeiting deposit. Known for sharp political reactions and an accessible leader for budding lawyers, Kanagaraj had also merged his party with the BJP.

Welcoming the new members, BJP president Murugan said the arrival of the senior lawyer into the party will strengthen the BJP in the State. Paul is all set to head the BJP’s State legal wing and is eyed as a price catch for the saffron party that has minor vote share in the Dravidian heartland.

“I floated a party for the welfare of Tamils and now we have joined the BJP as the public are happy with the administration of Prime minister Narendra Modi,” Kanagaraj told his supporters at the merger function held at a private hall in Central Chennai.

According to BJP insiders, Murugan is currently focusing on strengthening the various party wings. First the Dalit wing was activated and now with the inclusion of Kanagaraj, the party will enhance its legal wing. Paul had served under both the DMK and the AIADMK. Further he is a prominent face among the legal circle in Chennai and he had staged several protests against the Dravidian parties and is a strong party organiser. All these factors will help BJP gain ground ahead of the next year Assembly polls scheduled in 2021, BJP sources said.