The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after Tamil actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief Vijay commemorated LTTE founder Velupillai Prabhakaran on his birth anniversary. The BJP accused the Congress party of having a soft corner for anti-national elements and questioned Rahul Gandhi's silence on the matter.
BJP's Strong Reaction
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, in a post on social media, slammed Rahul Gandhi for his alleged association with those who glorify the LTTE. He said, "Rahul Gandhi's silence on Vijay's tribute to Prabhakaran, a terrorist who was responsible for the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, is an insult to the nation. The Congress party has always appeased those who are against the unity and integrity of India."
Poonawalla further added that the Congress party's history of supporting separatist and terrorist elements is well-documented. "From the LTTE to other anti-national forces, the Congress has consistently shown leniency. This is the same party that opposed the ban on the LTTE and has now found a new ally in Vijay," he said.
Vijay's Tribute Sparks Controversy
Actor Vijay, who recently floated his political party MNM, tweeted a message on Monday commemorating Prabhakaran's birth anniversary. The tweet read, "Remembering the great leader Velupillai Prabhakaran on his birth anniversary. His sacrifice for the Tamil cause will never be forgotten." The post immediately sparked a political firestorm, with many accusing Vijay of glorifying a terrorist.
The BJP was quick to seize the opportunity to target both Vijay and Rahul Gandhi. Party leaders pointed out that Rahul Gandhi had earlier praised Vijay as a "ray of hope" in Tamil Nadu politics. "Now it is clear why Rahul Gandhi was so enthusiastic about Vijay's entry into politics. They share the same ideology of supporting anti-national elements," said a senior BJP leader.
Congress Denies Allegations
The Congress party, however, dismissed the BJP's allegations as baseless. Party spokesperson Pawan Khera said, "The BJP is trying to divert attention from real issues. Rahul Gandhi has always condemned terrorism in all forms. The BJP's attempt to link him with Vijay's tweet is a desperate move to gain political mileage."
Khera also accused the BJP of double standards. "The BJP has no moral right to speak about nationalism when they have leaders who have made inflammatory remarks and have been accused of hate speech. They should focus on issues like unemployment and inflation instead of making false allegations," he said.
Political Implications in Tamil Nadu
The controversy is expected to have significant political implications in Tamil Nadu, where Vijay's MNM is seen as a potential challenger to the ruling DMK and the opposition AIADMK. The BJP, which is trying to expand its footprint in the state, has been critical of both the DMK and the Congress for their alleged sympathy towards the LTTE.
Political analysts believe that the BJP's attack on Vijay and Rahul Gandhi is aimed at consolidating the anti-Congress and anti-DMK vote bank. "The BJP is trying to project itself as the only party that stands for national unity. By linking Rahul Gandhi with Vijay's controversial tweet, they hope to dent the Congress's image in Tamil Nadu," said analyst S. Murari.
Meanwhile, Vijay has not responded to the BJP's criticism. His party MNM issued a statement saying that Vijay's tweet was a personal expression of his views and not the official stance of the party. "Vijay respects all communities and does not support violence. His remarks were taken out of context," the statement said.
The controversy is likely to intensify in the coming days, with both the BJP and the Congress gearing up for a fierce war of words. The issue also highlights the delicate balance of Tamil politics, where the LTTE still evokes strong emotions among certain sections of the population.
