Rahul Gandhi Launches Fierce Campaign in Tamil Nadu, Targets Modi and Shah
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, campaigning for the first time in Tamil Nadu during this election cycle, delivered a blistering critique of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday. Speaking at rallies in Ponneri (Tiruvallur district), Sholingur (Ranipet district), and Thuraiyur (Trichy district), Gandhi accused the BJP leadership of attempting to establish remote control over the state from the national capital.
Allegations of Remote Control and Puppet Governance
Rahul Gandhi asserted that both Modi and Shah desire a weak Chief Minister for Tamil Nadu who would obediently follow directives from Delhi. "They want to rule Tamil Nadu from Delhi. They want a chief minister who can take orders from Delhi. Hence, they chose AIADMK as their alliance partner," he declared, suggesting the alliance was strategically formed to facilitate central dominance.
He further intensified his attack by labeling Modi as a "compromised Prime Minister" who is allegedly controlled by former US President Donald Trump. "Whatever Trump says, Modi will do. If Donald Trump says jump, Narendra Modi will jump. That is exactly what he wants the AIADMK CM to do," Gandhi stated, drawing a parallel to what he perceives as the desired subservience of Tamil Nadu's leadership.
Claim of BJP's Capture of AIADMK and Assault on Tamil Identity
Gandhi framed the upcoming election as fundamentally distinct, alleging the BJP's primary objective is to oust current Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. "BJP wants at all costs to remove Stalin as the chief minister and replace him with a puppet in AIADMK. The historic party AIADMK has simply become a mask of BJP. The soul of AIADMK is captured by BJP," he claimed, arguing that the regional party has lost its autonomy.
He accused the BJP and its ideological parent, the RSS, of waging a war against Tamil Nadu's unique language and cultural heritage. "BJP and RSS are ignorant. They don't know who Tamils are. They don't know what Tamil means to Tamil people. Brothers in DMK and INDIA bloc are protecting Tamil from their assault," Gandhi said, positioning the opposition alliance as defenders of Tamil identity.
Contrast with UPA Era and Allegations of Agency Misuse
Recalling the tenure of the Congress-led UPA governments from 2004 to 2014, Gandhi highlighted a different approach to coalition politics. "We also ruled in Delhi, but we never ever tried to rule Tamil Nadu from Delhi. We partnered with our brother Stalin and DMK, but we never threatened or attacked DMK with the Enforcement Directorate or the income tax department," he stated, implicitly accusing the current regime of using central agencies to pressure political opponents.
On the Delimitation Bill and Opposition Unity
Rahul Gandhi also addressed the contentious delimitation issue, claiming credit for the opposition's collective efforts in thwarting the government's plans. "BJP proposed a women's bill, to use it as a camouflage to pass the delimitation bill to reduce the representation of south India. I am proud to say that we, the opposition, worked together and defeated this nefarious design," he said, alleging the bill was a disguised attempt to diminish southern India's political voice.
The campaign speeches mark a significant escalation in the political rhetoric in Tamil Nadu, setting the stage for a heated electoral battle centered on issues of federal autonomy, cultural preservation, and allegations of authoritarian overreach from the center.
