“Not Going To Allow PM Modi, BJP To Disrespect Tamil People”: Rahul Gandhi

Mr Gandhi said: “The centre has no respect for Tamil language and Tamil culture. I am not going to allow Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP to disrespect Tamil people.”

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who yesterday started his party’s campaign for elections in Tamil Nadu in May, came down heavily today Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP – which is allied with the ruling AIADMK. Mr Gandhi accused them of insulting Tamil language and culture, and crippling people of the state with schemes like demonetisation and the GST regime.

At a rally in Erode district of western Tamil Nadu, an area that is widely seen as a stronghold of the ruling AIADMK, Mr Gandhi said: “The centre has no respect for Tamil language and Tamil culture. I am not going to allow Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP to disrespect Tamil people.”

“Demonetisation, GST (Goods & Services Tax), and fuel price hike have crippled the people of Tamil Nadu. The country is in the hands of five or six businesspeople (and) they think that if they control the state government, they can control the Tamil people. But this is not true,” he added.

Reminding voters of a “family relationship” with the state, he said: “History shows the Tamil people cannot be cheated.”

“I know of your respect for my grandmother and father. I’ve come to listen and understand your problems and to rectify them. I understand and respect Tamil culture,” the Gandhi scion said.

Since his arrival yesterday, Mr Gandhi has been camped out in western Tamil Nadu, as the DMK (the Congress’ ally) and he looks to repeat their sweep of the state in the 2019 Lok Sabha election.

Rahul Gandhi, as he landed in Coimbatore, said: “Tamil Nadu requires a new government. That is why we want to work with you to get a government that you would be proud of.”