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Tamil Nadu: Rajnath Singh slams DMK over women's bill defeat
Rajnath Singh campaigned in Tamil Nadu ahead of the April 23 polls, pledging 33% reservation for women and alleging DMK, Congress, and TMC blocked the move. He linked the bill defeat to perceived DMK misuse of power and referenced a renewed Karthigai Deepam tradition if BJP returns to power. He also touted a defence corridor claim and proposed farmer subsidies and gas cylinder benefits.
Why It Matters
The remarks highlight the BJP's messaging in Tamil Nadu around gender reservation, regional development projects, and agricultural subsidies ahead of a key state poll.
Timeline
3 Events
April 19, 2026: Rally at Radhapuram for S P Balakrishnan; defence corridor and farmer subsidies
April 19, 2026
At a separate rally in Radhapuram for BJP candidate S P Balakrishnan, Singh said Tamil Nadu is one of the only two states including Uttar Pradesh with a defence corridor. He claimed ₹6,000 crore is currently provided to farmers each year and said that if the BJP forms government in Tamil Nadu, ₹9,000 crore per year would be given as subsidy to farmers. He also claimed subsidies during Pongal, Deepavali, and Tamil New Year’s Day, plus three new gas cylinders free of cost to the people of Tamil Nadu.
April 19, 2026: Rally at Vasudevanallur SC near Tenkasi; pledge of women’s reservation and DMK critique
April 19, 2026
Rajnath Singh spoke at a BJP poll rally for candidate Anandhan Ayyasamy at Vasudevanallur SC near Tenkasi for April 23 polls. He pledged 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies, said NDA would provide it, and attributed the defeat of the 33% reservation bill to the DMK, Congress, and TMC. He described DMK as aligned with the phrase 'Dushprayogam Muraikedu Kutram' and said the Karthigai Deepam lighting tradition atop Thiruparankundram hill would be restarted if BJP comes to power.
February 2025: Karthigai Deepam tradition on Thiruparankundram hill halted by police
February 2025
Police stopped the lighting of Karthigai Deepam atop the Thiruparankundram hill after tensions escalated in February 2025 when a member of Parliament consumed meat on the hill.