Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai has strongly criticized DMK Law Minister S. Regupathy, questioning whether he is a law minister or merely a “pettai rowdy.” This sharp rebuke follows Regupathy’s remarks accusing the BJP and its cadres of having criminal backgrounds and always being armed.
Recently, DMK Law Minister S. Regupathy, while speaking to reporters in Pudukkottai, accused the BJP of harboring individuals with criminal backgrounds, stating, “The BJP is the only party at the national level that includes antisocial elements, individuals involved in various crimes, listed rowdies, and criminals in its ranks. No other party does this. We have provided evidence and a list of names multiple times, and if needed, we are ready to provide another list of names again. We do not knowingly allow such things in the DMK. If anything like this happens, it is immediately reported to the leadership, and disciplinary action is taken, leading to their removal.” He further added, “We don’t care whether the BJP takes up arms or not, but it is a well-known fact that they always have weapons in their possession.”
In response, BJP State President K. Annamalai, addressing the media in Coimbatore, sharply criticized Minister Regupathy. He suggested that Regupathy should first undergo basic training that is given to Tamil Nadu police officers. Annamalai recommended he attend the police training camp in Vandalur, where officers are taught that 80% of crime prevention involves monitoring and handling rowdies, while only 20% focuses on post-crime actions. “Minister Regupathy should learn this,” Annamalai said.
Annamalai remarked, “Today, I doubt whether he is a law minister or a DMK street thug (Pettai rowdy) because there is no chance a law minister would use such language. During a press meet, he says, ‘They will stab.’ Will any responsible minister speak like this? Only the street rowdy will say, ‘Rowdy will come now, will stab you and me. A responsible minister should not speak like this in a press meet. Secondly, he accuses BJP cadres of having weapons. Tell me, which BJP (cadre) had a weapon and committed which such acts? Regarding the Vellore incident, it was your DMK panchayat president’s driver, son, and family who came and stabbed him. The case stems from the incitement by your DMK panchayat president. The charges are against your party cadre. Vittal Kumar opposed irregularities in the panchayat, and you attacked him with a rod, striking him on the head and killing him. In this case, who had the weapon? You! Who used the rod? It was the DMK!”
He further mocked DMK minister saying that instead of sending Minister Regupathy to police training, he should attend the monthly rowdy meetings at the District Commissioner’s office and carefully listen to what the rowdies are saying, as their statements closely align with the minister’s own words.
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