Obstructing Vel Yatra was wrong decision by govt, says Murugan

He commenced the Vel Yatra again from his house in Koyambedu and proceeded towards Tiruvottiyur Vaduvdai Amman Temple via Anna Nagar, Kilpauk, Vepery, Chennai Central, Madras High Court, Royapuram and finally reached the temple. But as the temple was closed by that time, the BJP leaders had to worship from the outside.

However, the rally created traffic congestion in some of the arterial roads of the city and in many areas, including Anna Nagar there was traffic congestion for close to 30 minutes. However, when the rally proceeded towards Kilpauk police allowed only seven vehicles to follow Murugan.

Police picked up Murugan, former union minister CP Radhakrishnan and others and released them later. The government has denied nod for the rally, proposed in honour of Lord Muruga across the state, citing the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

Murugan, several other leaders and supporters were held on Friday at Tiruttani, when he was about to launch the rally without permission and later let off.

“The Tamil Nadu government has taken a wrong decision on the Vel Yatra. This rally will continue as it is the BJP’s event,” Murugan told reporters on Sunday.

On whether the party could realign the route with no temples, he shot back, “there are no places in Tamil Nadu without temples.” “I can’t comment on the issue as the case is pending in the court,” he added, referring to a petition by the BJP in the Madras High Court challenging the denial of permission for the programme.

Murugan, flanked by party seniors Radhakrishnan and L Ganesan, said the BJP felt the state government has not been fair in handling the issue from the start.

The BJP would emerge as a major force in Tamil Nadu in the 2021 Assembly elections, Murugan claimed, adding it would be the deciding factor in government formation.

BJP state general secretary KT Raghavan alleged the police “prevented him from moving out” of his home on Sunday. A large number of party leaders and cadres from other parts of the state, particularly in Tambaram, Mahabalipuram and the neighbouring districts of Chennai were prevented from participating in the Vel Yatra scheduled on Sunday at Tiruvottiyur, Raghavan alleged.

Meanwhile, police said they arrested BJP Kancheepuram unit vice-president Selvamani early on Sunday in a case registered on a complaint by a revenue department official of Tiruttani that he allegedly manhandled Tiruvallur SP P Aravindhan.