In a escalating political showdown, Tamil Nadu’s BJP has accused state police of favoritism toward the DMK regime by stalling approvals for 25,000 planned corner meetings. This sweeping public contact program, designed to rally voters district-wide, faces systemic roadblocks that critics say undermine fair play in India’s vibrant democracy.
Spokesman A.N.S. Prasad didn’t mince words: ‘Law enforcement must rise above bias and grant permissions as per the rulebook.’ He pressed for autonomy in police operations, insisting that higher-ups prioritize citizens’ fundamental rights to assemble and speak freely.
Under Nainar Nagendran’s stewardship, with strategic inputs from K. Annamalai, the campaign launched February 17 with star power. Central ministers L. Murugan, Pon Radhakrishnan, and others joined local leaders to launch sessions covering multiple booth areas, inclusive of NDA partners.
The meetings aim to spotlight DMK failures: corruption scandals, family-centric power plays, surging narcotics issues, broken election pledges, and mounting economic strains. BJP frames this as a voter awakening drive against governance lapses.
Local BJP functionaries recount a pattern of obstruction since day one – permissions withheld indefinitely, rejections without cause, and reported pressures to abandon plans. Chief Minister Stalin’s Kolathur constituency emerges as a flashpoint, where alleged interference has been most pronounced.
Seeking high-level redress, the party has appealed to top bureaucrats including the DGP and Chennai Police Commissioner, plus district heads. A special plea to Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik calls for vigilant monitoring at grassroots levels to ensure level playing fields.
BJP vows disciplined, low-key events focused on awareness, expressing confidence in NDA’s growing appeal. As tensions simmer, this saga underscores deepening rifts in Tamil Nadu’s polarized politics, with elections on the horizon.