The Aryavarth Express
New Delhi, January 14: BJP Tamil Nadu president K Annamalai on Tuesday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for promoting cultural inclusiveness and strengthening Tamil culture and infrastructure over the past decade, as Pongal was celebrated at the residence of Union Minister L Murugan in the national capital.
During the celebrations, Annamalai said the BJP was delighted with the emphasis on cultural unity under PM Modi’s leadership. He noted that the PM Modi has been celebrating Pongal for several years and has consistently opened his residence to diverse cultural and religious celebrations. “Christmas is celebrated at his home, and for the third consecutive year, Pongal celebrations are being organised at the residences of different Union ministers, with participation from people of Tamil origin and South India living in Delhi. We are very happy that the PM Modi is leading from the front and connecting all of us culturally,” he said.
Highlighting development initiatives, Annamalai said a comparison of data from the UPA period (2004–2014) and the NDA government showed substantial growth. He claimed that allocations and schemes for Tamil Nadu, including in sectors such as railways, had increased three to four times over the last 10 years. “People of Tamil Nadu know that Prime Minister Modi has taken Tamil culture and Tamil infrastructure to a new level,” he asserted.
Looking ahead to upcoming elections, Annamalai said the NDA was preparing to capitalise on what he described as “sky-high anti-incumbency” against the DMK government. Expressing confidence ahead of the Prime Minister’s proposed visit to Chennai on January 23, he said the state would “come the NDA way” when election results are announced.
Responding to remarks made by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin against Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Annamalai dismissed them as signs of political desperation. “When a person is losing power, such statements reflect desperation and nothing else,” he said.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan criticised DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran over his recent remarks, describing them as “highly indecent.” She urged DMK leaders to stop discriminating against people from other states, stressing that pride in Tamil Nadu should not involve insulting fellow Indians.
