“If Nakkheeran Gopal Had As Much Brains As His Moustache His Magazine Would Sell, N. Ram Campaigned Against BJP In Harbour”: Annamalai Slams DMK Propagandists Masquerading As Journalists

Journalists and representatives from various journalist associations expressed their dissent over Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai’s alleged derogatory remarks towards them. The protest, which took place at Valluvar Kottam in Chennai on 25 January 2024, was prompted by Annamalai’s comments directed at senior television journalist Karthigaichelvan of News 18 Tamil.

Annamalai expressed his view that Udhayanidhi wasn’t subjected to challenging questions during an interaction, likening it to a friendly match. However, his choice of a colloquial Tamil term to convey this opinion was perceived as derogatory by certain journalists. Despite the controversy, Annamalai declined to offer an apology for his use of language.

TN BJP chief Annamalai responded to the protest staged by journalists against him. He stated, “N.Ram associated with The Hindu, actively campaigned against the BJP candidate Vinoj Selvam in the Harbour constituency, going to the extent of distributing pamphlets. Today he is speaking as if he is a centrist.”

He added,“The predicament in Tamil Nadu lies in the fact that individuals like you toil tirelessly under the scorching sun, earning meagre amounts like ₹10,000 or ₹15,000 through their hard work. Wherever we are, you gather news diligently. So, if you people criticise us, we will accept it, you are fully eligible, you have the right to do it, but it becomes problematic when journalists, relying solely on the ruling party, criticise us without contributing anything themselves. 14 people are talking there on the stage, 10 people (the media house’s camerapersons) listening to it – 30 people are putting up a protest. Nakkheeran Gopal’s statement is wrong, and I am not going to provide an explanation to address that. If Nakkheeran Gopal had brains equivalent to that of his moustache, the progress of Nakkheeran magazine would have been remarkable. That is why Nakkheeran is Tamil Nadu’s No 1 yellow journal, it is our fate.”

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