‘BJP always stands for a unified Tamil Nadu’

Prime Minister Modi is highly popular in Tamil Nadu; AIADMK a healthy alliance partner, says BJP State president

Reiterating that the BJP does not endorse the creation of a Kongu Nadu by bifurcating western Tamil Nadu, the party’s State president, K. Annamalai, has said it stands for a “unified Tamil Nadu”. In an interview, he denied that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was unpopular in the State, and said it would be a straight fight between the BJP and the DMK in 2026. Edited excerpts: A party represents the aspirations of the people. The BJP (Tamil Nadu) represents the aspirations of the people of Tamil Nadu. As for Kong Nadu, if you look at the region, there was never a demand for a separate State from the people of the region. But you have to understand Kongu Nadu was always a social identity. There is nothing wrong in people using the term Kongu Nadu. You have to look at the context in which it was used — for seven [Union] Ministers, a social identity was given: Bundelkand, Konkan Maharashtra, Purvanchal and Kongu Nadu. The Central government, especially the Prime Minister’s Office only used it as a social identity. We have always stood for a unified Tamil Nadu. This question is never asked to other parties. If there’s a people’s aspiration, I can react. When there’s no demand, why should I react?