Recent comments by BJP chief K. Annamalai, labeling former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa as a staunch Hindutva leader, have ignited a fierce backlash from the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). Former AIADMK minister D. Jayakumar strongly criticized Annamalai, warning of serious consequences if he continued to disparage AIADMK and its leaders.
Addressing reporters, Jayakumar accused Annamalai of being the “B team” of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and suggested that portraying Jayalalithaa as a Hindutva icon was a conspiracy between the DMK and BJP. He described Annamalai as “immature” and “half-baked,” questioning his basic knowledge about Jayalalithaa’s legacy.
Jayakumar highlighted Jayalalithaa’s efforts to promote religious harmony during her tenure. He noted that she personally funded Iftar events, organized annual Christmas festivals, and frequently quoted verses from the Quran and the Bible. Moreover, she implemented numerous welfare measures and secured legislative support for a 69% quota benefiting all communities.
Dismissing BJP claims that Jayalalithaa had sent ‘kar sevaks’ to Ayodhya, Jayakumar offered to quit politics if such allegations were proven true. This confrontation underscores the ongoing tensions between the AIADMK and BJP, as both parties navigate their political strategies in Tamil Nadu.