‘Confusion’ between DMK & Congress: BJP targets INDIA bloc over Rahul, Sonia absence; attacks DMK over ‘family rule’

NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran on Saturday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Coimbatore to campaign for Bharatiya Janata Party candidates ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, while alleging there is "confusion" between the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Indian National Congress in the state.Speaking to reporters in Udhagamandalam in Nilgiris district, Nagendran claimed senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi had not actively campaigned or publicly backed Chief Minister MK Stalin despite campaigning gathering pace. "There is confusion between DMK and Congress in Tamil Nadu. Neither Rahul Gandhi nor Sonia Gandhi has come to congratulate the chief minister or campaign so far. I do not know if they have such an understanding," he said.Nagendran also said Modi would campaign in Coimbatore in support of BJP candidates as the party intensifies preparations for the Assembly polls.The BJP leader alleged that several welfare measures being implemented in Tamil Nadu were funded by the Centre but projected as initiatives of the state government."The central government provides all the goods in fair price shops. But the state government says that we will provide them. Similarly, they say that houses are being built through the central government, but the state government does the same," he added.Nagendran defended the women’s reservation initiative and accused the state government of opposing policies introduced by the Centre."They think that if the 33 per cent reservation bill for women is brought, it will be against democracy and the country will be divided. Since 1996, there has been a stance that women should be given reservations. The state government opposes any plans that the central government brings," he said."The provision of 33 per cent reservation for women is a welcome thing. Those who block this will only earn the opposition of women," he said.Stepping up criticism of the DMK leadership, Nagendran accused the ruling party of promoting dynastic politics and claimed Stalin was positioning Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin for future leadership."Chief Minister Stalin's plan is to bring Udhayanidhi Stalin as the next Chief Minister. Udhayanidhi Stalin, who said that he will not enter politics in the 2020-2021 period, is currently contesting the elections. Udhayanidhi has now been made the Deputy Chief Minister. Currently, there is a family rule and the entire income in Tamil Nadu is going to a single family. The people of Tamil Nadu are currently watching this," he said.Nagendran also backed the proposed increase in Tamil Nadu’s Lok Sabha seats from 39 to 59, saying greater representation would help improve public service delivery."Even after 75 years of independence, there has been no change in Parliament. Now a change is needed, especially in Tamil Nadu," he said.He added that any defeat of the bill in Parliament would have no connection with the state elections.Responding to a question on actor-politician Joseph Vijay and his comments on electoral competition, Nagendran termed the statement "very unfortunate."