Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State President Nainar Nagenthran recently declared that the party firmly maintains a policy of non-interference when it comes to the internal matters of other political groups.
This statement followed a meeting in Salem where Mr. Nagenthran, accompanied by BJP National In-charge for Tamil Nadu Arvind Menon and Vice-President K.P. Ramalingam, visited All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) General Secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami. The encounter at Palaniswami’s Nedunchalai Nagar residence lasted over thirty minutes.
Speaking to reporters afterward, Mr. Nagenthran emphasized that their visit was purely a courtesy call, asserting that no political topics were discussed. He highlighted the BJP’s ongoing ‘Sewa Pakhwada’ initiative, a two-week program from September 17 to October 2 celebrating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday, which included a marathon in Salem.
When questioned about the possibility of meeting expelled AIADMK leaders such as O. Panneerselvam, T.T.V. Dhinakaran, and V.K. Sasikala, Mr. Nagenthran adopted a pragmatic stance. He noted that with six months remaining until elections, specific discussions would be addressed at the appropriate time, adding, “There are no permanent enemies or friends in politics.”
Addressing comments made by former BJP President K. Annamalai regarding the inclusion of expelled AIADMK leaders into the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Mr. Nagenthran reiterated the BJP’s non-interference policy. He pointed out that these leaders, who once supported Palaniswami’s Chief Ministerial aspirations, are now opposing the very alliance they once championed.
Critiquing the current Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government, Mr. Nagenthran claimed a lack of significant development over the past four years. He cited unaddressed long-pending demands from MLAs and criticized the ‘Ungaludan Stalin’ scheme, suggesting it distracts government officials without providing genuine public benefit. He concluded that a desire for change is palpable across Tamil Nadu.
Regarding actor and TVK leader Vijay’s claim that the upcoming election would be a direct contest between TVK and DMK, Mr. Nagenthran dismissed it as premature. He highlighted the nascent stage of Vijay’s political party, arguing that public crowds alone do not guarantee electoral success. He stressed that actual elections require declared candidates and votes, making such pronouncements unsubstantiated at this stage.
Mr. Nagenthran further asserted that Mr. Palaniswami, with his four years as Chief Minister, possesses extensive experience in administration and securing central funds. He implied that Vijay’s inexperience makes his electoral claims less credible, stating that public gatherings do not necessarily translate into votes.
Finally, asked if the shared goal of TVK and BJP was to oust the DMK, Mr. Nagenthran distinguished the BJP from other parties due to its national presence and significant representation (over 300 MPs and 1,500 MLAs). He affirmed that any party truly committed to the welfare of the people should indeed seek to unseat the DMK. He announced the start of his own campaign from Madurai on October 11, extending an invitation to all alliance partners.