PM Modi avoids talking about TN politics at public meeting

Contrary to expectations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today skirted any reference to Tamil Nadu politics at a public meeting here which was billed as BJP’s pre-poll campaign launch in the state where elections are due in about three months.

Modi, on his first visit to the city after assuming office, dwelt in detail on his government’s achievements and trained his guns at political rival Congress on many issues but made no mention of state politics.  

It came a surprise because the state BJP leaders, including Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan, had last week said Modi would sound the BJP’s poll bugle at the meeting.

However state BJP leaders, including its President Tamizhisai Sounderrajan, spoke on issues like calling for total prohibition and employment generation. Radhakrishnan touched upon the vexed fishermen issue and recalled Modi government’s efforts in securing the release of five Indian fishermen on death row in Sri Lanka.

Senior leaders H Raja and L Ganesan slammed Dravidian politics and criticised DMK and AIADMK on a host of issues.  

The state BJP leaders also spoke on the issue of alliance, saying the party was prepared for both—to lead a front or contest alone all the 234 assembly seats.  

Earlier the Prime Minister was accorded a rousing reception at the meeting venue, where he had addressed a campaign rally during the Lok Sabha elections in 2014.

Scores of party supporters chanted “Modi! Modi!” as he entered the venue.