News Tamil Nadu

“VCK Is The Most Casteist Party In India, Not Just Tamil Nadu”, Says TN BJP Coordinating Committee Pres H Raja

September 16, 2024
The Commune

Tamil Nadu BJP Coordinating Committee President H. Raja has condemned the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) as the most egregious caste-based party in India. This criticism came after the VCK labeled the BJP as a religious party during a recent press conference calling on various parties to participate in a protest against the total prohibition of alcohol in the state.

Given Prime Minister Modi’s birthday on 17 September, on 15 September 2024, the BJP organized a welfare program at the party head office, where H. Raja distributed various forms of assistance. Later, addressing the press, H. Raja took aim at the MDMK party and its leader, Vaiko. He challenged Vaiko’s claim that the “Hindutva gang” aims to eliminate Dravidian parties, retorting, “Vaiko says we want to destroy the Dravidian parties. Let him explain who was responsible for the MDMK’s decline. The party known as MDMK has vanished, So why are we going to have a job when you destroy the Dravidian parties yourself”

Raja commented that the Finance Minister’s claim that 5.6 crore Mudra loans were taken out in Tamil Nadu, suggesting that this number reflects multiple loans by a single individual, is misleading. He argued that the Mudra loan figures are unrelated to population size. Raja further noted that the BJP’s performance in elections should not be compared to the number of Mudra loan recipients. Despite the extensive Mudra loan scheme, the BJP saw a significant increase in support, with the National Democratic Alliance securing 80 lakh more votes in Tamil Nadu compared to previous elections, indicating growth for the BJP.

Taking a jab at VCK chief Thirumavalavan’s remark that inviting the BJP to the conference would lead to corruption because the BJP is a religious party, Raja responded sharply. He criticized Thirumavalavan, stating, “Not only in Tamil Nadu but in entire India, the most casteist party is VCK. Is he a leader of the Dalit and Scheduled Caste community? No, because the people of the Devendra Kula Velalar community are asking to be removed from the scheduled list and they do not accept any policies of Thirumavalavan. When Karunanidhi was the chief minister, he gave 3% internal reservation to the Arundhathiyar community, which Thirumavalavan strongly opposed. When he is a leader of a particular community among the scheduled castes and speaks of narrow casteism, can he talk about other parties or the BJP?”

Raja clarified that the BJP has always adhered to the principle, dating back to the Jana Sangh era, of welcoming members from all backgrounds without religious discrimination. He also acknowledged Thirumavalavan’s demand for a share in power within his alliance, agreeing that such a request is justified. Raja pointed out that the BJP has historically allocated power to coalition partners during the Vajpayee administration, thus supporting Thirumavalavan’s request.

Additionally, Raja criticized TVK Vijay for extending wishes for Onam but not for Vinayagar Chaturthi. He argued that Vijay’s omission of Vinayagar Chaturthi wishes was inappropriate and offensive to the sentiments of the majority community.

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