Annamalai unveils political roadmap, picks secular pitch; says religion must be confined to home

Coimbatore, Jul 12 (PTI) Former BJP Tamil Nadu President K Annamalai on Sunday declared that his voluntary movement, "We The Leaders" will eventually become a political party and provided ample hints that his to-be launched party would toe secular politics. Known for his aggressive brand of politics while he was in the BJP, Annamalai adopted a friendly approach towards the ruling TVK and favoured lending it a helping hand in case it faltered. Addresing his foundation's first conference at Pollachi near here, Annamalai said he is always a proud nationalist and Indian and his struggle is to see that Tamil Nadu should emerge as the topper. He wondered if a proud Tamilian could be against the idea of India and whether a proud Indian could be pitted against the Tamil idea. "We do not need that politics," he asserted. Annamalai helmed "We The Leaders" foundation chose a stand against drugs as its theme for its first rally here. In TVK, most people who have become MLAs are ordinary persons who have overcome obstacles and faced struggle. "They are not someone who have been legislators for 15 or 20 years. All ministers are first time ministers barring Sengottaiyan. They will stumble, trip and when that happens a good society lifts them up and not push them down," he said. Underscoring that his movement will eventually transform into a political party, he said it will be for healthy politics and not for cheap or power politics. "There need not be any doubt about it. This (foundation) will become a political party." In 38 days, more than 19 lakh people have joined his movement, he said. "When this count touches 50 lakh it means that Taml Nadu people are inviting, welcoming us." In 2031, his party will stand before the people for healthy politics and it will do better with better leaders. "People will give us that opportunity." The conference was not to cause trouble to the newly elected government but aimed at eliminating drugs. "This rally is not blame a political party. This rally is not to allege that a (particular) leader is not good." Outlining current issues, he referred to public debt and claimed that this year the TVK government will borrow not less than Rs 85,000 crore. The next year, the borrowing will be Rs 80,000 crore and at the end of TVK regime (in year 2031) the borrowing will be Rs 14-15 lakh crore and this issue has to be addressed. He said: "Our responsibility is to bring good leaders...when every individual begins working (for social causes), transformation will unfold in front of our eyes and you will see that." He asserted that a true Hindu treats everyone equally and embraces everyone and does not regard someone as "high or low." He said: "I am a Hindu, I sport sacred ash, kumkum; but when I step out, I lock up my caste and religion inside my house and stand before you as an ordinary man common to all the people. There is no need to highlight and display religion everytime." Furthermore, Annamalai said: "True Hindu treats all equally, he does not talk that one is superior and that another is inferior. He will say that everyone must go together in a straight line. That is my Hindu philosophy...caste and religion are outside of this movement...enough is enough as regards the caste and religion-centric politics." For every person, his or her religion is very important and lofty. However, it should be within the private space. He hailed Mahatma Gandhi as having secured India its freedom and changing its destiny and underlined service and transformation of Tamil Nadu and women development as key ideals of "We The Leaders." He decried attempts to brand him as anti-Hindu for taking a stand in favour of TVK regime's move to grant "Inam" category of lands to people in Karur. He said such type of lands had nothing to do with the lands owned by temples. On the recent Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, he said that those below 39 years of age brought about the regime change. Similarly, in 2031, when Assembly polls are next due, young people belonging to such a young age bracket will bring a very big regime change, he said. Nobody should be forced to join the movement, he said adding participation should be voluntary based on the work done. During the next six months, six important issues would be taken up to create awareness and address such key issues including environment and women protection, he noted. Six resolutions were passed in the anti-drug awareness conference that were against drugs, alcohol dependence and abuse. One of the resolutions said "illegal sale" of liquor must be halted and all liquor outlets located near educational institutions, places of worship and bus termini must be closed. "Maaruvom Maatruvom," (We will transform and bring about change) an anti-drug slogan echoed in the conference. Several students took a pledge against drugs. Annamalai recently quit the BJP and the Pollachi conference is his first big-ticket public event after walking out of the Saffron party. PTI VGN VGN ROH