BJP to contest by-elections in TN, assures Jallikattu from 2017 Pongal

Chennai: With dates for the by-poll to the three Assembly constituencies announced and ahead of the local bodies elections, the BJP has reassured to restoring the jallikattu for 2017 Pongal. The saffron party wants to roll the dice and encash on the rural electorate

Though this assurance may not divert the attention of the opposition parties demanding the constitution of the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) or restrain them from blaming the BJP-led government at the Centre over the Cauvery issue, the BJP however hopes to connect with the rural voters through the popular bull taming sport of Tamils.

Union minister of state for road transport, highways and shipping Pon Radhakrishnan had on October 6 called on Union minister of state for environment, forests and climate change Anil Madhav Deve and sought his immediate intervention to pave way for holding the event. "This sensitive issue has been hurting the sentiments of scores of Tamils across the world," Radhakrishnan said in his petition to Anil Madhav.

He called upon. Anil Madhav to initiate appropriate action by introducing a suitable bill in the Parliament in consultation with other Ministries concerned and thereby enable the Tamil community to organise jallikattu from Jan. 2017 "with pomp and gaiety."

"The Centre will work towards this goal. We will have jallikattu from coming Pongal," BJP state president, Tamilisai Soundararajan added.