A Viral Moment Sparks Controversy
Social media erupted with speculation after an 11-second video of a brief interaction between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Tamil Nadu BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan went viral on Wednesday. The video, which quickly spread across various platforms, showed Amit Shah apparently reprimanding Soundararajan with a stern gesture.
In the clip, Shah is seen calling Soundararajan and seemingly instructing her while wagging his finger. This visual sparked widespread discussions about internal tensions within the Tamil Nadu BJP unit and raised questions about the party’s internal dynamics.
Background on Tamilisai Soundararajan
Tamilisai Soundararajan has held several prominent positions within the BJP. She was the party’s Lok Sabha election candidate from South Chennai and previously served as the Governor of Telangana and the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry. Additionally, she was the state BJP president from 2014 to 2019. Her significant political career has made her a well-known figure, both within the BJP and in the broader political landscape of Tamil Nadu.
Speculations and Reactions
The viral video, reportedly shot during the oath-taking ceremony of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, has been perceived by many as evidence of infighting within the Tamil Nadu BJP. This perception was further fueled by the response from political figures and parties.
Karthik Gopinath, the state vice-president of the BJP’s social media cell, shared the video with the caption, “That looks like a strong admonishment from Amit Shah ji to Tamilisai akka. But what could be the reason for this ‘public’ warning? Unwarranted public comments?” This post was later deleted, adding to the intrigue and speculation.
The Kerala unit of the Congress party took the opportunity to criticize the BJP, highlighting what they described as the BJP’s culture and attitude towards women. Their social media post read, “Anyone with some self-respect will give it back to him and quit, @DrTamilisai4BJP. Being a qualified doctor and a former governor, you don’t have to take such insults, that too from a history sheeter!”
DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai also chimed in, questioning the appropriateness of Shah’s behavior. “Is it polite to put a prominent female politician of Tamil Nadu on stage and express harsh words or threatening body language? Does Amit Shah not know that everyone will see this? Very wrong example!” he commented.
Social Media Buzz and Public Perception
The incident did not go unnoticed by social media users. Many commented on the apparent reprimand, interpreting it as a sign of internal conflict within the Tamil Nadu BJP. One user posted on X, “Tamilisai Soundararajan, getting schooled…for indulging in infighting in party politics in relation to Annamalai…”
Rift in Tamil Nadu BJP?
The viral video brought to light an existing rift within the Tamil Nadu BJP. Tamilisai Soundararajan had recently criticized BJP’s Tamil Nadu president Annamalai. During an interview, she stated, “I had a yardstick when I was (chief) of the BJP where I didn’t encourage anti-social elements. But, recently, anti-social elements have been taken into the party. I have no doubt that he (Annamalai) is a good leader. All I’m saying is we all are different types of leaders, and we make different decisions.”
Tiruchy Suriyaa, the state general secretary of BJP’s OBC Morcha, also weighed in on the matter. He posted a video of Soundararajan on social media, questioning whether it was “right for a former head of state to post such a comment in the public media…?” Suriyaa, known for his close association with Annamalai, added that people were not ready to join the BJP when Tamilisai was heading the party.
BJP’s Performance in Tamil Nadu
The BJP’s performance in the recent Lok Sabha polls in Tamil Nadu highlighted the challenges facing the party. Despite an 11.24 percent vote share, the BJP failed to secure any seats. In contrast, the Congress, aligned with the DMK, won nine seats in Tamil Nadu and the lone seat in Puducherry. The DMK and AIADMK remain the dominant political forces in Tamil Nadu, having ruled the state since 1967.
Public Opinion on Internal Party Disagreements
The viral video has also sparked a broader debate about how internal party disagreements should be handled. Should they be addressed privately or publicly? This incident has underscored the delicate balance political parties must maintain to manage internal conflicts without damaging their public image.
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