Following the resignation of Actor Gautami Tadimalla from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday, the party's Tamil Nadu unit chief K Annamalai said that there is a "miscommunication" between both sides as the saffron party is not trying to protect the accused, C Alagappan, who allegedly swindled her of her money, property and documents.
Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai while talking to news agency ANI said, "I spoke to Gautami Tadimalla on the phone and she was demanding a very fast action...we had supported her to get the FIR registered, but now she feels that some BJP workers are trying to protect the accused. Nobody is trying to protect him, I had a chat with Gautami today also."
"There is a misunderstanding, Police have to look into it and take action. Nobody in the BJP is trying to protect the accused and he is not connected with the BJP...the accused was with Gautami for 25 years as a friend and he has cheated, it is a case between Gautami and him, we are on the side of Gautami here," he added.
Earlier in the day, Tadimalla resigned from the saffron party while claiming that there was a lack of support from the party. She alleged that several people from the party have been actively helping and supporting the person who "betrayed" her. She stated that she had lodged complaints with the police about the cheating and had faith in Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and the judicial system to ensure her justice.
Notably, she mentioned that in 2021, she was entrusted with the development of the Rajapalayam constituency during the assembly polls and was assured that she would be fielded from the seat following which she dedicated herself to strengthening the party at the grassroots level.
"However, this assurance to contest was rescinded at the last minute. Regardless, I maintained my commitment to the party," she said but expressed regret that even after 25 years of service to the organisation she was not receiving the support she expected.