'Demolition Of Selective Temples': Annamalai Hits Back After CM Stalin Slams BJP Over Sitharaman's Remarks

Tamil Nadu BJP chief Annamalai said ever since DMK came to power, selective temples are being demolished to make way for commercial buildings.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and state BJP chief K Annamalai.

New Delhi: Coming down heavily on the DMK government in Tamil Nadu, state BJP chief K Annamalai on Saturday said ever since chief minister MK Stalin-led dispensation has come to power, temples are not being properly maintained and some of them are even demolished to make way for commercial buildings.

Speaking to news agency PTI, Annamalai said, “Temples are not maintained properly. Especially since DMK has come into power, demolition of selective temples has been done. They take money from the temples and build commercial complex.”

VIDEO | "Temples are not maintained properly. Especially since DMK has come into power, demolition of selective temples has been done. They take money from the temples and build commercial complex," says BJP leader @annamalai_k.

(Full video available on PTI Videos -… pic.twitter.com/e680U2RRNB

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 25, 2023

His remarks came a day after CM Stalin slammed Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman saying if the saffron party indeed had devotion, then it would have lauded the DMK government for having retrieved Rs 5,500 crore worth properties belonging to temples. He was referring to the union minister’s allegation that DMK was “looting temples”.

“Under the DMK regime, Rs 5,500 crore worth properties belonging to temples have been retrieved. If they (BJP) really have devotion, they should laud the DMK regime,” PTI quoted CM Stalin as saying.

He further said that some people, not being able to tolerate the DMK’s growth, are spreading misinformation and trying to hoodwink the people. He also mentioned about a senior, retired police officer who has allegedly made a false, defamatory claim in his 'official Whatsapp'. CM Stalin said a case is being registered against him, PTI reported.

The DMK chief further said he wouldn’t have taken it seriously had Annamalai made the allegation of DMK looting temples, because the latter had a habit of confusing people.

CM Stalin further said that the conspirators were peeved by the growth of DMK youth wing, which was organising a conference in Salem next month.