Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai on Thursday said the audio clip in which Nilgiris MP Raja is heard speaking is “completely true”, and that anyone familiar with politics would recognise it.
Speaking to reporters in Ooty, Annamalai said his alliance was united and contesting as one team. While other parties are in the fray, he claimed the contest in the state remains essentially bipolar—between the ruling DMK and the AIADMK-led NDA.
He accused Chief Minister M.K. Stalin of speaking with “wrong intent” and alleged that remarks made by AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami were being distorted. Annamalai also criticised what he called derogatory and obscene comments made about Palaniswami, insisting political debate should maintain decorum.
Annamalai said the Chief Minister should instead speak about what changes his government has delivered over the past five years, and not make allegations about people being buried. Referring to the audio controversy, he said DMK leaders may deny it, but maintained it was Raja’s voice and that the contents were true.
He further claimed Raja, despite being the sitting MP, had been prevented from even joining campaign work. Annamalai said the public had now heard Raja’s assessment of the Chief Minister’s capability, and argued that it would strengthen his alliance’s campaign during the election period.
