Nainar slams DMK-Cong over Manickam Tagore remarks

Madurai: BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran on Monday criticised the DMK-Congress alliance, citing repeated public statements by Virudhunagar MP Manickam Tagore as a sign of strain within the coalition.Nainar performed the traditional Muhurthakaal ceremony at Mandela Nagar near Madurai Airport to mark the beginning of preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's NDA campaign rally scheduled to be held in Madurai on March 1. AIADMK MLAs Sellur K Raju, R B Udhayakumar, and V V Rajan Chellappa were present. Addressing reporters, Nainar expressed confidence that the upcoming assembly election will result in an NDA government. "All alliance party leaders will take part in the campaign to be held in Madurai," he said. He also indicated that an official government function could be held during the Prime Minister's visit. When asked whether the Madurai AIIMS would be inaugurated, he said, "Whatever you aim for, it will be there," hinting at a possible announcement. Listing the NDA constituents, Nainar said the alliance, led by AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, was strong. He, however, questioned the stability of the DMK-Congress alliance, referring to Manickam Tagore's statements and his demand for an apology for remarks made by its MLA G Thalapathi. On MP Kanimozhi's meeting with Rahul Gandhi, he said, "It is a question mark whether the Congress will continue in the DMK alliance." Nainar further alleged that the DMK government had failed to fulfil several of its election promises. Referring to the custodial death of temple security guard B Ajith Kumar in Thiruppuvanam in Sivaganga district, he asked, "How can a government that has not appointed a DGP maintain law and order?" Highlighting the Centre's achievements, he said that after Narendra Modi assumed office as Prime Minister, 70 airports were renovated or newly built, and India had risen to become the fourth-largest economy in the world. He also noted that Modi had spoken about Tamil language and Tamil Nadu during his recent visit to Malaysia.