The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
PM slams DMK, Cong over ‘hatred for Tamil culture’
WRAPPING UP his campaign in Tamil Nadu for the Lok Sabha elections, PM Narendra Modi on Monday accused the state’s ruling DMK and its ally Congress of having a “deep hatred towards Tamil culture” and of attempting to “erase Tamil identity”.
At Tirunelveli, he said the Dmk-congress combine was opposed to traditional practices like Jallikattu, and positioned the BJP as the genuine custodian of Tamil values.
On Monday, before reaching Tirunelveli, Modi had addressed two rallies in Kerala. There, he took aim at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who was also campaigning in Kerala on the same day, and accused the state’s ruling CPI(M) of corruption and mismanagement.
In Tirunelveli, Modi accused the DMK and Congress of neglect and corruption, and criticised their treatment of Tamil icons and leaders. “DMK has always also insulted MGR’S legacy,” Modi said, referring to former CM M G Ramachandran, the founder of the AIADMK.
Modi also brought up the issue of drugs, which had recently come to the fore in Tamil Nadu with the arrest of a local DMK leader who was alleged to have run a drug cartel. “Our Tamil Nadu is currently going through a great tragedy of corruption and scams of family-run parties... pushing your children into a drug hell,” he said. “Modi will fight not only these corrupt individuals, but also these drug mafias,” he promised.
He also said the election represented a pivotal moment for TN to reject the “worn-out negative agenda” of its traditional political leaders. “Today, those who want to build a future for their children are voting for BJP,” Modi said. He also invoked the regional pride of South Tamil Nadu, and the legacy of local heroes and freedom fighters. “Our inspiration is the great freedom fighter VO Chidambaram Pillai,” he said.
“Anyone who loves the Tamil language, who loves Tamil culture, today their first choice has become BJP,” he said.
Speaking in Kerala earlier in the day, Modi accused the CPI(M)-LED state government of looting the public.
At Kunnamkulam in Alathur, Modi brought up Karuvannur Cooperative Bank scam case, and said it was he who initiated an ED probe. He said he was now taking legal advice on how the money of the depositors could be returned from the amounts seized by the agencies.
Targeting Rahul Gandhi without taking his name, Modi said Congress’s “prince” was seeking votesinkeralaashecouldnotprotect his family’s seat in UP – a reference to the Amethi seat which was a Congress bastion for years. Rahul was also campaigning in Kerala – in the Wayanad constituency from where he is a candidate – on Monday.