In his rally here that marked the conclusion of his campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls in Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday made a Tamil-centric pitch, reiterating setting up Thiruvalluvar centres and labeled Congress and the DMK as "sinners" over ceding of Katchatheevu islet to Sri Lanka.
Outlining the features of his party's manifesto that was released on April 14, he referred to Thiruvalluvar centres, bullet train in south India and promotion of pearl farming. Reiterating his commitment for Viksit Bharat, he said Viksit Tamil Nadu has become a mission in this election.
He was campaigning for BJP candidates Nainar Nagendran (Tirunelveli), Pon Radhakrishnan (Kanniyakumari) and Radhika Sarathkumar (Viruthunagar), besides ally John Pandian of the Tamizhaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, who is contesting from Tenkasi (SC) in the April 19 elections.
The party manifesto has given importance to Tamil language. "Will work to bring Tamil Nadu's heritage sights on the global tourist map. BJP is resolved to set up, all over the world, Thiruvalluvar Cultural centers," he said.
Modi dubbed the DMK and Congress, "anti-national" and said the entire country has now understood the "truth", that they had given Katchatheevu islet to another country (Sri Lanka) after "cutting it off" from Tamil Nadu.
Not only did they keep "the people of Tamil Nadu in the dark, they told lies to them and committed a sin behind the scenes", Modi alleged.
"Our fishermen brothers get the punishment for the sins of the DMK and Congress," he said, in an apparent reference to the frequent arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lanka.
This "sin" of theirs remained hidden for four decades and it is the BJP that unravelled the truth and brought it to the attention of the people, he claimed. Following this, the DMK and Congress have just "gone silent", he alleged.
Modi then went on to slam the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu over the alleged corruption and drug menace in the state.
He also accused the DMK of insulting the legacy of late Chief Minister M G Ramachandran (MGR) and said the Dravidian party had "ill treated" late AIADMK matriarch J Jayalalithaa in the state assembly, alluding to the unruly scenes in the House in 1989.
The BJP, however, works to take forward the dreams of leaders like MGR in Tamil Nadu.
The "thought process" of DMK and Congress is that of hatred towards Tamil culture and they want to end Tamil identity and the Tamil heritage. "Be it Sengol, Jallikattu, you all saw how DMK and Congress opposed them." BJP is working for Tamil Nadu's development as it respects Tamil Nadu's heritage and takes inspiration from that. "Our inspiration is VO Chidambaram Pillai who dreamt of the country's Atmanirbharta (self reliance)." The BJP's role model is the patriotic and honest K Kamaraj, former Chief Minister.
"That is why BJP bats for honest politics in Tamil Nadu. BJP ensures the progress of Tamil Nadu's youth but the family-run parties of Congress and DMK left no stone unturned to insult Kamaraj." Women of Tamil Nadu are "blessing Modi" and it is because of a string of initiatives of the Centre including the Jal Jeevan Mission (1.25 crore have piped water connections), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (12 lakh houses) and Ujjwala scheme (over 40 lakh gas connections). He also referred to the defence corridor implementation in the state.
In an attempt to appeal to the cultural sensibilities of the people of the state, Modi pointed out that the BJP had released its manifesto on the day of Tamil New Year.
"We worked day and night for Tamil Nadu's development in the past 10 years," Modi told the people gathered there, and recalled the launch of Vande Bharat express between Chennai and Tirunelveli which benefited people in this region and also increased the pace of development.
Recalling the bravery and sacrifices of iconic freedom fighters of southern Tamil Nadu including Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar, he said they wanted the nation to become powerful and prosperous.
"Today when we reply to India's enemies in their own language, then the dreams of these great people are fulfilled".
He exhorted them to vote for the saffron party, saying, "for those who love Tamil language and culture, their first choice is the BJP," and so is the case with those who love the country.
Tamil Nadu is witnessing "corruption and scam" of family run parties. "Not just this, these people are pushing your children into the hell of drugs." Everywhere in Tamil Nadu, the poison of drugs has spread, he alleged. "Whose protection does this drug mafia enjoy? Even a child knows." Parents are seeing their children's life getting destroyed but before powerful people they are helpless. "I want to give you the confidence-- with your blessings, Modi will fight the corrupt and the drug mafia." He charged the Congress and DMK with having issues left to seek votes. "They have an old tape recorder with an oft-beaten negative agenda. People of Tamil Nadu have realised that they (the two parties) can neither implement their promises nor protect Tamil Nadu's culture," Modi said.
Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Telegraph Online staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.
