No action to be taken against Raja: Minister

However, he said BJP national secretary H Raja had withdrawn his comments and no action could be taken on him. Even if a case is filed, the BJP leader would point out that he had withdrawn his comments, the minister said. 

However, rejecting Raja’s explanation, Dravida Kazhagam leader K Veeramani said his explanation had come after widespread condemnations and protests in the state. “The BJP leader’s remarks that his comments had been posted without his knowledge amount to cowardice. The BJP had sown the wind to reap a storm and the saffron party had received an electric shock after commenting about Periyar”, he commented. He also pointed out that the BJP functionary who tried to damage Periyar statue were taught a lesson by the public. “We will pardon Raja, but will not forget his behaviour”, he said. 

MDMK general secretary Vaiko demanded that cases should be filed against those who damaged Periyar statue at Tiruppattur under stringent sections. The government should come down heavily on anyone who try to damager the Dravidian leader’s statue, he said. He also warned that the BJP would face serious consequences if such incidents continued. The Fascist act of bringing down revolutionary leader Lenin should also be condemned severely, he said. Belatedly joining the leaders who condemned Raja, DMDK leader and actor Vijayakanth rejected Raja’s statement expressing regrets. The actor said expressing regrets only after tough opposition is not acceptable, he said. 

Strongly disapproving Raja’s act, BJP state president Tamilisai Soundararajan said the BJP would not encourage any activity that incites passions and leads to a tense situation. “The BJP is firm that political culture should be protected and does not approve violent methods”, she said.