Amit Shah (Image: X/@BJP)
NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday addressed the BJP’s booth committee members in Tirunelveli where he apologised for not being able to speak in Tamil. “First of all, I am not able to speak in the great Tamil language on the land of Tamil Nadu, so I apologise to all of you,” Shah said. He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president JP Nadda for making a person from Tamil Nadu CP Radhakrishnan the NDA candidate for the post of Vice President. Shah was accorded a warm reception by party members upon his arrival from Kochi. He later had tea with BJP state chief Nainar Nagenthiran at his residence. Booth committee members from Kanyakumari, Tenkasi, Tuticorin, Virudhunagar and Tirunelveli constituencies participated in the meeting.During his address, Shah highlighted PM Modi’s governance and policies and criticised the ruling DMK government in Tamil Nadu. Here are the top quotes from his address:
- Shah expresses NDA’s confidence to form government: Shah said that in the coming days, a government consisting of the BJP, AIADMK and NDA allies is expected to be formed in Tamil Nadu. He accused DMK government of being the most corrupt government in the country, having carried out numerous scams. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA alliance secured 18 per cent of the votes, while AIADMK received 21 per cent. Combined, the NDA accounts for approximately 39 per cent of the total votes.
- Operation Sindoor and National Security: Shah recalled the Pahalgam terror attack, stating that Pakistani terrorists had killed innocent citizens. He said PM Modi had promised to act against the terrorists and their masters, and by authorising Operation Sindoor, their bases in Pakistan were destroyed. “Post-Pahalgam terror attack, PM Modi smashed terror havens in Pakistan as promised with Operation Sindoor,” the Union minister said.
- CP Radhakrishnan’s role and Tamil pride: Shah said that after assuming the post of Vice President, CP Radhakrishnan of Tamil Nadu would become the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. He noted that the NDA had earlier conferred the highest honour on APJ Abdul Kalam by making him President of India and emphasised that PM Modi has consistently promoted Tamil Nadu, its language, and its culture.
- DMK under fire: The home minister criticised the ruling DMK government, calling it the most corrupt in the country and citing scams including sand mining, nutrition kits, and MNREGA. He accused TN CM Stalin of attempting to run the government from jail and alleged that the CM’s only agenda is to make his son chief minister, while Congress leader Sonia Gandhi aims to make her son prime minister. “Neither Rahul Gandhi nor Udhayanidhi could become PM and CM respectively. NDA will win,” he said.
- PM Modi guided by Thirukkural: Highlighting PM Modi’s governance, Shah said the Prime Minister follows the guidance of Thirukkural, which defines an ideal ruler as one with an army, patriotic citizens, wealth, powerful allies and robust forts. He added that Modi has successfully implemented these principles in modern governance.
- Shah slams Stalin on 130th constitutional amendment: Shah said chief minister MK Stalin had no right to call the 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill a “black bill,” accusing him of carrying out “black deeds.” He questioned whether it was appropriate for ministers like K Ponmudy and V Senthil Balaji to remain in the Cabinet despite being in jail in connection with ED cases. Shah asserted that neither Stalin nor Sonia Gandhi’s agenda would succeed and that the NDA would emerge victorious. “TN CM Stalin has no right to dub the 130th Constitution Amendment Bill as a ‘black bill’,” home minister said.
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