Annamalai takes aim at BJP: In power for 12 years, still manufactures enemy to stay relevant

Former Tamil Nadu BJP leader and ex-IPS officer K Annamalai has criticized the central government's actions against the Cockroach Janta Party, accusing them of using oppressive tactics. In a post on X, Annamalai defended the protesters' right to voice their dissent, arguing that questioning the violation of due process of law is a legitimate concern.

He recalled the 2011 crackdown on the anti-corruption campaign in Delhi, when then-Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi reportedly said he would have intervened to "wage war" against the central government.

Annamalai questioned the de-notification of Jantar Mantar as a protest site, the use of preventive detention and pellet guns by the Delhi Police, and the rejection of surety bonds for detained protesters. He accused the Special Executive Magistrate empowered to handle such cases of playing "circles" around detainees. Annamalai also expressed frustration with the Delhi Police's handling of the NEET exam protests and the fact that no BJP officials in Delhi have faced consequences for violating bond conditions during previous Congress and AAP governments.

The ex-BJP president urged the central government to answer his questions directly, rather than resorting to "whataboutism." He listed five specific issues he wanted addressed, including the denotification of Jantar Mantar, the use of special executive magistrates, the rejection of surety bonds and cross-examination of sureties, and the utilization of pellet guns by the Delhi Police.

Annamalai concluded by questioning whether the BJP was opposing the CJP or simply giving it free publicity, suggesting that the party might be attempting to split opposition votes by elevating the CJP's profile.