Modi-Karunanidhi meet: BJP says it is good political culture

Chennai: BJP on Wednesday refused to attach any political significance to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with DMK chief M Karunanidhi, saying it just reflected the “good political culture” that exists in the country.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who hails from Tamil Nadu, told a press conference that Modi wanted to meet Karunanidhi, one of the oldest political leaders of the country, since he was ailing for some time.

“It is a good political culture. Despite the ideological differences that exist (between the BJP and DMK), Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting DMK chief Kalaignar (Karunanidhi) only reflects the political culture that exists in the country. Kalaignar is the oldest political leader here (in Tamil Nadu) and he (Modi) just met him,” Sitharaman told reporters here.

She was asked to comment on the Monday meeting between Modi and Karunanidhi at the latter’s Gopalapuram residence that has led to political speculation about the two parties coming together. The DMK has also clarified that the meeting was just a “courtesy call” with its Working President M K Stalin saying that his party would not use Modi for “political purpose.”

On Kamal Haasan declaring that he was already in politics, Sitharaman refused to get into the issue by merely saying any individual can take the plunge into politics in a democracy like India. State BJP leaders have been targeting Kamal Haasan for his comments on GST and demonetisation.

Kamal had on Tuesday declared that he was already in politics and he would undertake state-wide tour from January to meet people.