Erode: In a scathing attack on the Narendra Modi-led BJP government's policies at the Centre, the main opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Saturday said the saffron party's divisive politics will not work in Tamil Nadu.
Speaking at a two-day zonal conference of the DMK here party MP, Tiruchy N Siva said, “Youngsters should know history. Alexander the Great, who conquered the whole world, could not touch Tamil Nadu. The Mauriyas, who brought India under their kingdom, could not set foot in Tamil Nadu. Similarly those wielding swords in the North, in an apparent reference to BJP, can never win (capture power) in Tamil Nadu.”
Significantly, Tiruchy Siva cautioned against any complacency in the DMK and also reminded the party's working president, M.K. Stalin that “this is no Vasantha Kaalam (spring season), but there is long battle ahead for him.”
“You have lot more responsibilities now as Periyar statues are attacked and Ram Rath Yatra is organised. But one crore DMK cadres and eight crore Tamils are behind you,” said the DMK MP.
Stating that Stalin was given the honorific suffix 'Thalapathy' while in Vellore prison in 1982 , Siva said, “we are now proud to address you as 'engal' (our) Chief Minister. Next year, DMK will win elections and Stalin will become Chief Minister. He would then scrap NEET,” thundered Siva.
Former Union minister Ms Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan, alleged that Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi has been “snatching away” the rights and powers of states.
“It was first introduction of NEET and then the removal of 27 per cent reservation for backward classes in PG medical courses that is hurting all,” she rued.
Lashing out at the BJP for advocating 'one nation, one language and one community' policy, Subbulakshmi slammed the Centre for 'forced Sanskritization and imposing Hindi' on non-Hindi speaking states. However, the divisive forces cannot destroy the Dravidian parties and their strong Dravidian ideology, she said.
Earlier, party MLA Kovi. Chezhian hoisted the party flag on a 95-feet high pole. A 'pandaal' named after late rationalist leader Periyar with a capacity to seat two lakh people has been set up on a 100-acre land near Erode for the DMK conference.
The DMK working president M K Stalin, who remained seated on the dais all through the conclave on the first day, is expected to address the gathering on the second day of the conference on Sunday.
