Tamil Nadu: Removal Of PM Modi's Photo From Thanjavur Civic Body Office Sparks Row

The BJP workers in Kumbakonam lodged a complaint with Thiruvidaimaruthur police seeking action against the accused official.

Screengrab from video showing removal of PM Modi's photograph. (Image: ANI)

New Delhi: A major political row has erupted in Tamil Nadu on Thursday after a video emerged showing Veppathur Town Panchayat chief Anjammal allegedly removing a photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the civic body office in Thanjavur district.   

According to a report by India Today, BJP town panchayat councillor S Chandrasekaran had handed over a photograph of PM Modi to Executive Officer Latha on April 6 and asked the officer to display the photo at the civic body office.

However, on April 12, the newly elected town panchayat chief Anjammal, along with her husband Mathiazhagan, removed the photo and gave it back to the Executive Officer.

Taking to his Twitter handle, BJP leader CTR Nirmal Kumar shared the video alleging that the Veppathur town panchayat chairman was being forced by her husband to take off the photo of the Prime Minister, and wrote, “This Mathiyalagan who is working staff in union office had also warned municipality secretary not to keep PM picture in govt offices.”

Thanjavur District, Veppathur town panchayat President was forced by her husband Mathiyalagan to remove PM @narendramodi picture from govt office. This Mathiyalagan who is working staff in union office had also warned municipality secretary not to keep PM picture in govt offices. pic.twitter.com/O4WgGKi3ED

— CTR.Nirmal kumar (@CTR_Nirmalkumar) April 13, 2022

Following the removal of the framed photo of the Prime Minister at the government office, the BJP workers in Kumbakonam lodged a complaint with Thiruvidaimaruthur police seeking action against the accused official.

Slamming the DMK leaders, BJP leader H Raja, as quoted by India Today, said, "The actions of the DMK president of the Town Panchayat are both condemnable and outrageous."

Later, the Prime Minister's photograph was reinstalled next to the photo of Mahatma Gandhi.