By IANS
Chennai : Rather than refusing permission to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress leadership in Tamil Nadu Thursday preferred to brave criticism and protests as he addresses next week a public meeting here at a venue owned by one of its trusts.
Modi has been billed as the star speaker for Monday’s 35th annual meet of Tughlak, a news magazine edited by Cho S. Ramaswamy, renowned political commentator and former Rajya Sabha member.
Though there was no official word from Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president M. Krishnaswamy, highly placed sources in the party revealed that despite protests from the Left and a few Islamic groups, both Modi and Cho will not be prevented from using the Kamaraj Hall.
“The party’s high command feels that Modi can do no further harm to us since the elections in Gujarat are already over. We will not allow ourselves to be made fun of by Modi and others by refusing permission to them to use our premises,” a party source told IANS.
“Our party is bigger and taller than people like Modi. Besides, it is a public hall where hundreds of functions are celebrated regardless of the relevant organisations’ political affiliations. Anyway, the auditorium was booked a year in advance,” the source said.
The Kamaraj Hall is owned by the Tamil Nadu Congress Trust and rented out on the commercial basis.
The ‘Anti-Fascist Front’ comprising the Dalit Panthers, the Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam and others have sworn to stage a black flag demonstration against Modi since their protests against the Tamil Nadu Congress leadership did not yield any fruit.
The Tughlak annual meet usually lasts for several hours during which Cho interacts with the magazine’s readers. A political personality is invited as a guest speaker every year.
“I simply don’t understand what the fuss is all about. Here is a man who has not been tainted with any corruption charge and has won an election despite the media’s predictions of doom. Like others, Modi too is a political leader in the news who also has set an example in good governance,” Cho told IANS.
The state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership is, however, concerned over the protests against Modi.
“Modi is a symbol of nationalism and anti-terrorism. Anyone who opposes his visit to Chennai is anti-national,” L. Ganeshan, a state BJP leader, said.
Significantly, Modi will also call on Leader of Opposition and AIADMK general secretary J. Jayalalithaa, another bitter critic of the Congress leadership.