Tamil Nadu Minister mocks BJP's Murugan conference, questions meet's intent
Tamil Nadu Minister PK Sekar Babu on Monday hit out at the BJP over the recently concluded Murugan Conference in Madurai district, questioning its intent and ridiculing the involvement of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan.Responding to criticism levelled by BJP leaders and the show of strength at the conference, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister Sekar Babu dismissed it as an internal contest for popularity between Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagendran and former state president K Annamalai. advertisement'Nainar and Annamalai are fighting over who is more popular within the state BJP. The conference was held due to this competition only. Let the result come and we will react,' he said.
The Minister questioned the relevance of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan to Tamil Nadu politics, stating, 'Who is Pawan Kalyan? What relation does he have with Tamil Nadu?' He added, 'If necessary, let Pawan Kalyan choose a constituency in Chennai and contest. After he wins, let him speak anything and we shall listen.'Accusing the BJP of using religion and identity to divide society, Sekar Babu asserted that it would be left to the people of Tamil Nadu to decide whether they preferred inclusive development or what he described as the BJP's 'divisive' politics. 'People will decide in 2026 if they want us or if they want the BJP–Sanghi group which lays a stage and attempts to divide people in the name of religion, language and race,' he said.advertisementAndhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, addressing the Murugan Conference in Madurai on Sunday, delivered a sharp warning to those he claimed provoke or mock Hindu beliefs. In a veiled attack on the DMK, he said political leaders promote dangerous separatist ideas and selectively target Hinduism in the name of secularism. Recalling his own religious upbringing, he questioned why Hindu practices are criticised while other religions are spared. Asserting Lord Murugan's pan-Indian relevance, he said Hindus must unite against disrespect. 'If a sadhu gets angry, even a forest cannot stand,' he said, urging pride and courage in one's faith.
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