BJP neither grew with Annamalai nor weakened after his exit: Tamilisai

Madurai: BJP neither became stronger with K Annamalai’s arrival nor did it weaken after his exit, former Telangana governor Tamilisai Soundararajan said in Madurai on Sunday, while asserting that ‘genuine’ party workers would remain with BJP and those who left would return.

Responding to questions, Tamilisai said, “Some people thought the party became strong because Annamalai joined. It did not become strong because he came, and it did not become weak because he left. The party has always been strong.” She rejected observations that BJP workers were leaving the party in large numbers.

Tamilisai said BJP remained rooted in the efforts of its cadre. “Our party workers shed blood and sweat to build the BJP. Not even a single petal of the lotus can be shaken,” she said.

The BJP leader alleged a rise in sexual crimes in the state and questioned the govt’s handling of issues ranging from liquor sales to the proposed smart meter rollout. On the Thiruparankundram issue, she accused the govt of ignoring devotees’ sentiments, and opposed remarks that lamps would not be allowed to be lit there.

Commenting on AIADMK leader R B Udhayakumar’s statement that his party may have lost but had not died, Tamilisai said every political party experiences setbacks. “No party loses its strength permanently. The DMK itself was once reduced to one or two seats and later returned to power. No party can be completely destroyed,” she said.