• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Tamil Nadu's newly-appointed Chief Minister Vijay created a row after paying tribute to the banned outfit Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)'s founder, V Prabhakaran. His move, which may hurt to ally Congress, drew a severe reaction from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Vijay's tribute to the LTTEE's chief came on his death anniversary. Prabhakaran was killed on May 18 in Sri Lanka.

"We will carry the memories of Mullivaikkal in our hearts! We will always stand in solidarity for the rights of our Tamil kin living across the seas," Vijay wrote on X.

ALSO READ: Jahangir Khan Backs Out Of Falta Repoll: Why Did TMC's 'Pushpa' Bow Down? Inside Story

However, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam defended Vijay's act, saying his reference was not just to Prabhakaran, but to the massacre of thousands of Tamils in Sri Lanka, NDTV reported, quoting TVK sources.

What Is The Entire Issue?

Prabhakaran's LTTE was behind the killing of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's father, Rajiv Gandhi, in 1991. Former Prime Minister was assassinated on May 21, 1991, in Sriperumbudur, a town in Tamil Nadu, during a poll campaign. Vijay's move may make Congress leaders in the alliance government uncomfortable. India considers the LTTE a banned outfit. If Congress leaders stand with a person who offers tribute to the banned organisation's founder, it would be problematic for the grand old party in national politics.

BJP Targeted Rahul Gandhi

The BJP took the occasion to take a jibe at Gandhi over this, reminding him that the LTTE was responsible for his father's killing.

BJP leader Amit Malviya said Tamil Nadu’s new Chief Minister has paid homage to LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran, whose outfit assassinated former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

ALSO READ: Tamil Nadu To Continue With Two-Language Policy; CM Vijay To Decide Soon On Implementation Of PM SHRI Scheme

"Of course, Rahul Gandhi would have no problem with it, as long as the Congress gets a slice of power. After all, the DMK too was an LTTE apologist, yet Congress remained perfectly comfortable in alliance with it. While Congress may be endlessly flexible with its political beliefs, The Hindu remains steadfastly committed to the DMK ecosystem. It has already started targeting TVK, dismissing CM Vijay Joseph as merely a “social media phenomenon.” Congress could perhaps learn a thing or two about ideological consistency from The Hindu," he wrote on X.


Also In News