The AIADMK, formerly aligned with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), participated in the 2019 Lok Sabha and 2021 Assembly elections with BJP support until it terminated its association with the NDA in September 2023. Since the passing of the late Chief Minister J Jayalalitha, the AIADMK has grappled with internal conflicts over party leadership, hindering its ability to engage in active criticism of the ruling DMK. This vacuum has been strategically exploited by the TN BJP, leading to a significant surge in popularity and recognition as a formidable opposition party among the people of Tamil Nadu.
Following the recent severance of ties, and with the Lok Sabha election looming, both the AIADMK and DMK have started to voice criticism against the BJP. This dissatisfaction has become apparent as their ministers express displeasure during public gatherings. In the midst of this rift, K P Munusamy, the deputy general secretary of AIADMK and the incumbent member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly representing the Krishnagiri Constituency, has recently joined the criticism.
During a public meeting organized by AIADMK Krishnagiri on the sidelines of the birth anniversary of AIADMK leader and former Chief Minister late J Jayalalithaa, K P Munusamy openly expressed criticism and animosity towards the BJP. This development underscores the growing discord between the AIADMK and the BJP, marking a shift in their once-cooperative relationship.
K P Munusamy raised concerns about the BJP’s decision to prevent Union Minister L Murugan from participating in the Lok Sabha elections. Munusamy argued that the party is well aware that if Murugan were to contest, he might not secure a victory. Contrary to his belief, in the 2021 state legislative election, when Union Minister L Murugan contested in the Dharapuram constituency, he experienced a narrow defeat with just a 1393-vote margin. This result demonstrated significant support from the constituents.
“Why did you make L Murugan a Rajya Sabha MP? You can make him contest in an election, right? Why didn’t you do it? You can’t win if you contest. It seems you know that, then why are you deceiving the people? ”
He advocated for the BJP to nominate S Jaishankar, the Union Minister of External Affairs, and Nirmala Sitharaman, the Finance Minister, as candidates from Tamil Nadu in the Lok Sabha elections, acknowledging the party’s awareness of the challenging electoral landscape in the state.
K P Munusamy said “I am asking on this stage, I am questioning Annamalai, I am questioning the Prime Minister of India, if you say that you have influence, there are two Union Ministers, one of those two Union Ministers is from Tamil Nadu, other born and brought up in Tamil Nadu, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar – make them contest from any constituency in Tamil Nadu. If the Bharatiya Janata Party dares, has the guts, hopes that the people of Tamil Nadu will vote for them, then make these two, Finance Minister and External Affairs Ministry contest in any constituency in Tamil Nadu. Then you will know, only then will you know how the people of Tamil Nadu will teach you a lesson.”
Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu | AIADMK leader K P Munusamy says, "Can BJP field Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar from any constituency in Tamil Nadu for the upcoming general elections if they indeed believe their support has grown in the state?" (29.02.2024) pic.twitter.com/mH5bIvnBeV
— ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2024
In response to allegations made by Tamil Nadu BJP chief Annamalai, claiming that the state of Tamil Nadu has deteriorated under the influence of the two Dravidian parties AIADMK and DMK, Munusamy asserted that Tamil Nadu has excelled in education, health, and water management. Without careful consideration, K P Munusamy initially offered support to DMK and commended it, but subsequently acknowledged and attributed the accomplishment to his party, ADMK.
“This is Dravidian soil.. I ask Annamalai who says we have degraded it. Today Tamil Nadu is the premier state in all fields. Take the health department, take the public welfare department, Tamil Nadu is number one, take education, Tamil Nadu is the premier state, water management, Tamil Nadu is the premier state, farmer produce, Tamil Nadu is the premier state.”
“Your government is in 17 states, Bharatiya Janata Party is functioning in 17 states, central government gives an award, under ADMK rule, many awards came only under ADMK rule, why BJP, ruling in the other states could not get it, don’t you know that?”
Munusamy concluded by commending the people for their role in not allowing any national parties in the state. He emphasized that this approach by Dravidian parties has effectively safeguarded the interests of the state for the past 50 years.
Blatant racial hatred by ADMK top leader saying that NS and SJ can’t win in TN bcos it’s “Dravidian soil”
And ADMK sympathizers and agents will come after me if I say that there are more similarities than differences between the DMK and ADMK 🤷♂️— dravida sishu (TNs Prashanth Kishore) (@dravidasishu) March 3, 2024
It is noteworthy that KP Munusamy had previously taken the same position of not criticizing the ruling DMK. When reporters asked him about the DMK’s one-year term, he immediately refused to comment, saying he would save that for another day. The DMK members who were present with him at the time thanked him for his refusal to comment.
Netizens hinted at the sly criticism of Brahmins.
AIADMK Deputy Gen Secy KP Munusamy – dares the BJP to field @nsitharaman and @DrSJaishankar from Tamilnadu – says "they will be taught a lesson in Dravidian land" – whats common to these two ministers? pic.twitter.com/XP0YEdH0yb
— Reality Check India (@realitycheckind) March 3, 2024
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