Annamalai booked for provocative speech

Trichy: Police booked BJP’s Aravakurichi candidate K Annamalai for criminal intimidation and provocative speech after DMK’s Karur candidate V Senthil Balaji lodged a complaint on Friday. Annamalai, who is BJP state vice-president, said he is capable of thrashing Senthil Balaji, but he has decided not to resort to violence after joining politics.

Annamalai said at a campaign in a village in Aravakurichi that two BJP supporters were hospitalised after being attacked by DMK men when their women’s wing secretary K Kanimozhi was campaigning in Karur a few days ago. He is being provoked by such attacks to retaliate but they would take up the matter with the election commission. He said he has handled many criminals in Karnataka and is capable of thrashing Senthil Balaji as well. Since he has entered politics, he has decided not to resort to violence, he said.

Based on his remark, Senthil Balaji lodged a complaint at the Aravakurichi police station. Annamalai was booked under section 153 (provocation with intent to cause riot) and 506 (1) (punishment for criminal intimidation) of IPC. Responding to the comments, Kanimozhi dared Annamalai to touch a man from DMK let alone attack. “The party has come this far facing many such threats and challenges. No one can threaten us. If we stand up against such threats, you may not be able to bear it,” she said. Karur Lok Sabha MP S Jothimani said Annamalai is crossing all limits in fear of defeat.