K Annamalai criticises BJP government over Centre's handling of protest

Former BJP Tamil Nadu president K. Annamalai accused the BJP government at the Centre of forgetting it has been in power for over 12 years and always manufacturing an enemy to stay relevant. In a post on X, he questioned the Centre's handling of the Cockroach Janata Party's protest in New Delhi.

Details of Protest Handling

Mr. Annamalai cited a 2011 statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, made when he was Gujarat Chief Minister, about waging war against the Central government over a police crackdown at Ramlila Maidan, saying Mr. Modi was right then. He stated that people can now be jailed indefinitely, surety bonds rejected, and magistrates handle preventive bond cases unfairly, while anyone questioning the due process of law is called names or labelled a foreign agent.

Personal Attacks and Party Status

Mr. Annamalai said he faced constant attacks after asking the Centre to talk to anti-NEET protestors, though he ignored them and focused on Tamil Nadu issues to shed the tag of being a BJP B-team member. He noted that attacks against him resumed after he questioned Delhi Police methods used to detain CJP protestors, prompting him to clarify that he left the BJP on June 5, 2026. While he disagrees with CJP tactics and calls them misguided, he maintained they have a right to protest an issue they find important.

Publicity and Context

He also pointed out that a cockroach effigy burnt during Dusshera celebrations received national publicity led by BJP MLA Ashok Goel, questioning if the BJP wants to split opposition votes by making CJP a bigger player and acting as its PR team. He added that it is boring to see all protests and statements against the central government labeled as anti-national and funded from outside.

Context

Political figures often use social media platforms like X to share public statements and critique government policies or rival parties. Such statements frequently spark debates among supporters and critics regarding freedom of expression and the handling of public demonstrations in a democracy.