NDA will ensure Karthigai Deepam at Thiruparankundram: Rajnath Singh

Tenkasi: Union defence minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said once the NDA govt led by the BJP forms the govt in Tamil Nadu, we will definitely light the Karthigai Deepam in Thiruparankundram.Addressing a roadshow from Chindamani to the Kamarajar statue in Vasudevanallur in support of BJP candidate Ananthan Ayyasamy, Singh alleged that devotees' worship rights at the Subramanya Swamy Temple were being curtailed. "The Tamil Nadu police stopped and arrested devotees who went to light Karthigai Deepam at Thiruparankundram. However, the Madras high court has clearly stated that permission must be granted for the tradition of lighting lamps on the hill. Once the NDA forms the government in Tamil Nadu, we will definitely ensure the Deepam is lit," he said. Singh accused the DMK government led by M K Stalin of failing to maintain law and order. "Crime is rising, including offences against children and dalits. This reflects the failure of the DMK administration," he said, holding Stalin and minister Udhayanidhi Stalin responsible. Alleging corruption, Singh claimed that DMK leaders were involved in illegal sand mining and disproportionate assets cases. "They are plundering Tamil Nadu's resources," he said. Referring to an alleged kidney trafficking case, he said, "An investigation is underway against a DMK MLA's hospital over serious allegations. In a video, he is heard saying, ‘If I want to buy a Rolls-Royce car, I have to steal more kidneys.' The DMK government is playing with the lives of the poor." He also cited the illicit liquor tragedy in Kallakurichi, questioning how such operations continued. "This is not an accident. The BJP will eradicate the liquor mafia by forming special teams in every district," he said. Singh further accused the DMK of "mocking beliefs," referring to past remarks by Udhayanidhi Stalin on Sanatana Dharma. On the delimitation issue, he said the BJP supported 33% reservation for women in Parliament, but alleged that the Congress and DMK had blocked it. He criticised the state's finances, saying, "Debt has increased, but there has been no corresponding benefit to the people due to wrong policies and poor governance." He said, "In DMK, ‘D' stands for Dushprayogam (abuse of power), ‘M' for Muraikedu (corruption), and ‘K' for Kuttram (crime). In contrast, NDA stands for Nanmai (goodness), Nyayam (justice), Development, and Amaithi (peace)." Later in the day, Singh held another roadshow in Radhapuram constituency in Tirunelveli district in support of BJP candidate S P Balakrishnan.