CHENNAI: VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan on Saturday asserted that his opposition to BJP was rooted in ideology rather than personal animosity, while questioning why political cooperation among parties in Tamil Nadu was viewed differently from similar alliances elsewhere in the country. The remark was in reference to his call to TVK and DMK to come together at the national front to counter BJP.
Addressing a regional executive committee meeting of the party in Kancheepuram ahead of the proposed Tamil National Renaissance Conference on August 17, Thirumavalavan said some sections were deliberately attempting to weaken his party in the state.
Drawing parallels with opposition politics in other states, the VCK chief said the Congress and Left were rivals in Kerala, while the Congress and Trinamool Congress differed in West Bengal, yet they came together under the INDIA bloc. “Why shouldn’t such politics exist in Tamil Nadu as well?” he asked, referring to his earlier remark of asking TVK and DMK to come together under the INDIA bloc.
Stating that preventing BJP from gaining a foothold in Tamil Nadu remained the common objective of secular parties, Thirumavalavan said there was no personal hostility towards BJP. “Ideological differences are different from personal relationships,” he said, adding that Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had called him to convey birthday greetings.
He also criticised those questioning his participation in temple events despite his ideological opposition to Sanatana Dharma, saying such criticism stemmed from a lack of understanding.
Opposition afraid of BJP, says Nainar Nagenthran
Chennai: Responding to VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan’s call for the TVK and DMK to come together to oppose the BJP, Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagenthran said the remarks reflected the opposition’s fear of BJP. “Everyone is scared of BJP,” he told reporters, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had dedicated his life to public service and had steered the country’s economic growth, citing a GDP growth rate of 7.6%. ENS