CHENNAI: Various factions of the ruling AIADMK appear to be united, thanks to the BJP. Taking a positive view of their show of solidarity in extending support to her party’s Presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind, BJP state president Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan said “it is good (that) they are united.” She called upon the political parties to take cue from the AIADMK factions, and extend support the BJP’s Presidential candidate. “I think they are all united… you can say they (AIADMK factions) have come together now,” she said on Saturday and after a pause added, they have decided to support the Presidential candidate. She thanked the AIADMK for the gesture.
Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who is from the Amma faction, had accompanied Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior NDA leaders during the nomination of Kovind.
Raja condemns attack on party leader:
BJP national secretary H. Raja condemned the attack on the party’s Ramanathapuram town secretary Ashwin Kumar and the latter’s father and said the police inaction, raised doubts. “The assailants had attacked Ashwin Kumar and his father and coolly walked away and entered a mosque in the vicinity… the police inaction, particularly in not arresting the culprits have raised qualms on the conduct of the police,” Mr Raja said. Citing several incidents in the past including the violent incident in Ambur, he said instead of taking a partisan stand favouring the “fundamentalists” the police should take stern action. Mr. Raja urged Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami to intervene and end the prevailing anti-Hindu sentiment.
