Vijay’s party will pose challenge to Dravidian parties: H Raja

MADURAI: Actor-turned-politician Vijay's new party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam will be a challenge to Dravidian parties in the state assembly elections, said BJP state coordinator H Raja on Thursday.

Vijay's stand is to oppose NEET and bring education to the state list, among other issues, and he is going to divide their vote share, he told reporters in Madurai. He said BJP won't face any threat from his political entry.

Coming down heavily on Rahul Gandhi's remarks during his US visit, Raja said his activities are seditious and he is planning to unite anti-India forces to grab power in India. "He is acting like the enemy of the country with his speeches," he said.

On the Union govt withholding education funds from the state, Raja said that funds under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan will arrive the moment the state govt accepts the New Education Policy.

The Union govt is planning to upgrade 16,000 schools in Tamil Nadu and sanction Rs4,000 crore for it on condition that the state accepts NEP.

"Former chief secretary wrote to the Centre agreeing to NEP but the state govt is now adamant against accepting it," said Raja.

"Children from education minister Anbil Poyyamozhi's family want trilingual education but he would provide only bilingual education to the children of Tamil Nadu. If the state wants an exemption from NEET, it should seek relief from the court," he said.

On VCK not inviting BJP to its convention on abolishing liquor, Raja said, "Thirumavalavan would have thought it would be irrelevant to invite a party of teetotallers to such a convention." He said religious speaker Mahavishnu did no harm but was harassed by the education minister.
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