Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party President Annamalai, at a meeting with the press a few days ago, had accused Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President K Selvaperunthagai of being a history-sheeter. He clarified his statement accusing providing detailed explanations and citing past cases. The exchange between Selvaperunthagai and Annamalai escalated on 9 July 2024, through press conferences and social media posts after Annamalai’s initial remark.
TNCC President K Selvaperunthagai insisted that BJP State President K Annamalai apologize to him for labeling him a history-sheeter. He warned that failing to do so would prompt him to pursue legal action against Annamalai for defamation and character assassination, possibly invoking sections of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. Speaking to reporters in Chennai, Selvaperunthagai recounted how Annamalai had referred to him as a rowdy and a history-sheeter during a visit to the late BSP state president K Amstrong’s residence on 8 July 2024.
In his rebuttal, Selvaperunthagai held a press meeting at his party headquarters, highlighting that since Annamalai assumed leadership, 261 individuals with involvement in 1,977 cases had reportedly joined the BJP, some even holding positions within the party. He specifically mentioned BJP functionary RK Suresh, who had been questioned by the Economic Offence Wing over the Aarudhra Gold scam, along with another functionary named Harish allegedly linked to the same scandal. Selvaperunthagai vehemently denied any association with criminal activities.
In response, Annamalai stood firm, stating he would face the issue in court rather than apologize. He asserted that the BJP does not include any members with a criminal background. Annamalai stated unequivocally that he would not retract his assertion that Selvaperunthagai was listed as a history-sheeter. He expressed his unwillingness to apologize for something he believed to be true, citing cases filed against Selvaperunthagai, including his involvement in the auditor Pandian murder case. Annamalai also questioned whether Selvaperunthagai denied being arrested under the Goondas Act, and challenged the notion that his past legal troubles could be disregarded simply because he claimed to follow Gandhian principles.
Later that day, on 9 July 2024, responding to media reports about Selvaperunthagai’s threat, Annamalai countered by listing a series of criminal cases from Selvaperunthagai’s past, reaffirming his decision not to apologize.
Annamalai in his official X account stated, “When I mentioned that Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President Selvaperunthagai was on the list of criminals, Selvaperunthagai said he was very upset since I have insulted him who came in the path of Mahatma Gandhi. Below is the path taken by the one who claims to be a Mahatma Gandhi follower.
- Auditor Pandian murder case – main culprit
- Case No. 24(A)/2001 of 2001. CBI Case Prevention of Corruption Act 1988, Section 13(2) r/w 13(1) (e)
- Case No. 136/2003 IPC 307 of 2003 – Attempt to murder
- Case No. 138/2003 of 2003 – Assault
- 2003 Case No. 277/03 – Threat to kill
- 2003 Case No. 451/2003 IPC 324 – Assault with dangerous weapons, IPC 506 – Threats to kill, Explosives, 1908.
- It is noteworthy that in this case, he was apprehended under the Goondas Act.
- 2008 Case No. 1464/2003 IPC 147 – Rioting, IPC 148 – Rioting with deadly weapons, IPC 506 – criminal intimidation
Attempt to murder case, criminal intimidation case, assault with deadly weapons case, rioting with deadly weapons case, explosives case, murder case, and many other cases which are some of the worst crime cases in society. Notably, there were three cases of criminal intimidation (death threats) were filed against him. Apart from this, the Auditor Pandian murder case.”
“Is he not saying that he was arrested under the Goondas Act? How else does he expect him to be referred to? A living Mahatma? For political gains and to escape from the criminal cases against him, if he joins the party opposite to his policy and dramatizes that he came the way of Gandhi, does it mean that the crimes committed are not there?” Annamalai questioned.
“I am not going to back down from the view that Selvaperunthagai was on the criminal list. I do not have the habit of apologizing for a mistake I did not commit. Let Selvaperunthagai sue me anywhere. I am ready to meet him in court.” Annamalai stated.
தமிழ்நாடு காங்கிரஸ் கமிட்டியின் தலைவர் திரு. செல்வப்பெருந்தகை அவர்களை, குற்றவாளிகள் பட்டியலில் இருந்தவர் என்று குறிப்பிட்டதற்கு, மகாத்மா காந்தி வழி வந்த தன்னை, நான் அவமானப்படுத்தி விட்டதாக திரு. செல்வப்பெருந்தகை அவர்கள் மிகவும் வருத்தப்பட்டிருக்கிறார்.
மகாத்மா காந்தி வழி வந்த…
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) July 9, 2024
(With inputs from TNIE)
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