Home Minister Amit Shah launched the BJP’s padyatra ‘En Mann, En Makkal’ (My Land, My People) in Tamil Nadu’s Rameswaram town today. The yatra comes as the party looks to strengthen its presence in the state in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The mega event was marked by the absence of significant NDA allies — the PMK and the DMDK. The AIADMK, a key ally, had sent a former minister as representative, hinting at a cold political response. “This En Man, En Makkal is not a mere political padyatra,” Shah declared in his speech. “It aims to take the legacy of Tamil all over the world, to annihilate family dynasty politics, to save Tamil Nadu from corruption, and to reinforce the law and order system in the state.”Annamalai’s foot march is expected to cover 700 km, touching upon 234 constituencies. Shah emphasised that the padyatra’s purpose was to “strengthen Tamil culture” and convey “the messages of PM Modi”. He praised Modi’s promotion of Tamil language, recalling several instances such as his reference to Tamil in the UN General Council, and releasing Thirukkural in the local language of Papua New Guinea.
“In the 2024 elections, BJP and all our allies on stage will be elected to Delhi to rule India,” Shah said. He also made pointed accusations of corruption against the DMK and the Congress.
The minister asked the crowd, “Let me ask the Tamil people, do you think Kashmir is ours or not? Speak loudly? Kashmir is ours or not?”