Chennai: The ruling AIADMK in Tamilnadu and its ally, the BJP, were engaged in war of words over the celebrations of Vinayaka Chathurti Festival on 22 August.
While the AIADMK government has banned installation of Ganesha idols in public places, processions and immersion of idols in waterbodies in view of the lockdown and to prevent spread of coronavirus, the BJP has been urging the government to withdraw the same and allow the celebrations.
BJP State president L Murugan had even met Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami two days back on the issue and urged him to reconsider the decision.
He also said the BJP would follow the stand taken by the Hindu Munnani, which has threatened to defy the ban and install 1.5 lakh idols across the State, even as senior police officials were holding talks with Munnani leaders to persuade them.
With just two days left for the festival a tweet by BJP national secretary H Raja was seen in bad taste by the AIADMK, which hit back at him.
Referring to the State government imposing ban on Lord Ganesh Chathurthi celebrations, installation of idols in public places and appealing to the people to celebrate it in their homes, Raja, in a tweet, apparent termed the ruling AIADMK as an ‘impotent’ government.
“Installation of Vinayaka idols and celebratrions are allowed in Karnataka …. potent government”, he said. An annoyed AIADMK IT Wing member Raj Satyan tweeted back saying ‘we don’t want any certificate Raja’.
He also referred to the controversy involving Raja when he posted a tweet cirical of the judiciary and distanced from it saying it was not posed by him butĀ a mistake done by the admin.
“Prove your ‘potent’ial to the people by securing more than 999 votes as an Independent”, he added.
Senior AIADMK leader and Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar too joined issue with Raja and said the AIADMK government was a ‘potent’ government.
Referring to Mr Raja indirectly terming the government as ‘impotent’ (for not granting permission to install idols for Vinayaka Chathurthi festival), Jayakumar told reporters here that ‘what he said is applicable to him (Raja) only’.
Jayakumar recalled how Raja went into a hiding after posting a controversial tweet earlier and said ‘everone knows about his ‘potent’ial’. “Raja should not rub with AIADMK cadres. He is cheating the present generation without knowing the history”, the Minister said, adding, the government would follow the instructions of the Court on the Ganesh Chathurthi issue.