TIRUCHY: Playing down the significance of senior AIADMK leader SP Velumani meeting BJP leader Amit Shah, Tamilisai Soundarajan on Monday claimed that interactions between leaders of alliance parties were customary, especially during festive seasons such as Pongal.

Reacting to questions on the meeting, the former BJP state president said it was a long-standing political tradition for local leaders to call on senior leaders during their visits. “There is nothing unusual when leaders from alliance parties meet. Such meetings happen routinely,” she said.

Tamilisai also took a dig at Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K Selvaperunthagai over his remarks that Amit Shah’s visit to Tamil Nadu would benefit the INDIA bloc. “If Amit Shah’s visit can increase the vote share of the INDIA bloc, what confidence does Selvaperunthagai have in Rahul Gandhi and MK Stalin? His comment itself shows a lack of faith in his own leaders,” she remarked.

She, however, declined to comment further on political issues, stating that the BJP was currently focused on celebrating Pongal and not engaging in political debates.