Tamil Nadu BJP erupts in outrage, charging the state police with deliberate sabotage of its ambitious 25,000 corner meeting blitz. Accusations fly that approvals are being stonewalled to shield the incumbent DMK from scrutiny, raising alarms over electoral integrity in the southern state.
Party voice A.N.S. Prasad called for unbiased policing, imploring authorities to honor constitutional freedoms without external sway. ‘Senior officers have a duty to protect democratic expression,’ he declared amid mounting frustrations.
Led by state chief Nainar Nagendran and drawing wisdom from ex-president K. Annamalai, the drive began February 17. High-profile inaugurations by Union heavyweights L. Murugan, Pon Radhakrishnan, Tamilisai Soundararajan, and peers energized district-level launches, encompassing 2-5 booths per event with NDA collaboration.
At heart, these gatherings dissect DMK’s track record: graft allegations, nepotism, drug epidemics, undelivered manifesto commitments, and budgetary woes. BJP positions them as essential truth-telling forums for disillusioned voters.
Three days in, organizers decry a hostile reception: dragged-out permission processes, blanket refusals, and coercive undertones. Disruptions peak in sensitive areas like CM M.K. Stalin’s Kolathur, fueling claims of targeted suppression.
BJP’s escalation includes direct entreaties to the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, police top brass, Chennai Commissioner, and SPs. Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik faces requests for robust district surveillance to forestall irregularities.
Undeterred, BJP pledges serene conduct for these modest outreach efforts, banking on widespread NDA backing. This confrontation spotlights brewing discontent, potentially reshaping Tamil Nadu’s political landscape as campaigns intensify.