COIMBATORE: A telephonic conversation between AIADMK’s Valparai (SC) candidate Lakshmana Singh D and a member of the Christian community, wherein the former can be heard saying that he has to represent the Christian community in the Assembly to get things done for the welfare of Christians, is currently doing the rounds on social media.
Lakshmana Singh, who is the party’s candidate from the reserved constituency, can also be heard saying that minorities are not very supportive of the BJP.
“Thol Thirumavalavan represents the Dalit community through the Viduthalai Chiruthaigkal Katchi (VCK) and is taking steps to solve issues faced by Dalits.
“Since the times of former MLA AT Karuppiah in the 1980s in Valparai, no MLA has represented Christians. DMK Valparai candidate Suthakar is seen engaged in a firewalk in Kundam. Has he visited churches? We need representation in the Assembly to fight for our welfare,” said Lakshmana Singh, the rural district secretary of the AIADMK minorities association and also the correspondent of a school.
Though he is contesting in a reserved constituency, his conversation allegedly supporting and conveying his Christian identity was strongly condemned by the members of the Hindu Munnani.
Without referring to the incident, Hindu Munnani state president Kadeswara Subramanian issued a statement demanding the Election Commission of India to cancel the nomination and conduct a detailed investigation.
“Individuals who have converted to other religions are allegedly concealing their conversion, obtaining fraudulent caste certificates, and attempting to contest in constituencies reserved for Scheduled Castes,” he said.
“If it is confirmed that they belong to other religions, take immediate action to cancel their fake certificates and protect the rights of Scheduled Caste Hindus,” he demanded.
Lakshmana Singh, however, denied the charges.
“Opposition parties have wrongly portrayed the conversation as we have the support of the public. We support all religions even though I belong to the SC community,” he said.
Valparai Returning Officer Chanheetha told TNIE that they have not received any complaints in this regard.