factionalism in Tamil Nadu BJP With two relatively new entrants to the party – state unit chief K Annamalai and YouTuber Madan Ravichandran – being at the center of controversy this week over sexual misconduct allegations against a senior party leader, the RSS has taken an ugly turn. .
Triggering the storm, Ravichandran released a video on Tuesday morning making serious allegations of sexual misconduct against BJP state general secretary KT Raghavan, a prominent RSS face in the party. Following allegations of misbehavior with a female party worker, Raghavan denied the allegations and resigned from his post.
Ravichandran claims he released the video with the consent of state BJP chief Annamalai, forcing the latter to issue a statement, claiming ignorance about the details of the video, admitting he was aware of the issue .
On Wednesday, Ravichandran and a woman colleague were suspended from the party for their actions, which were considered “against the interest of the ideals of the BJP”.
Upset over the action, Ravichandran on Thursday released another video targeting Annamalai.
The video, posted on his popular social media page “Madan Diary”, featured a secretly recorded conversation of Ravichandran with Annamalai, in an attempt to prove that the state party chief was aware of the allegations against Raghavan. And he also offered many options to deal with. with issue. The options were to release the video and take action for the party or take Ravichandran to Delhi to brief top leaders, though action would take time.
Annamalai also reportedly admitted that he was aware of allegations of sexual misconduct against senior leaders in the state unit, but says he has his limits as state party chief. After the release of the tapes, Annamalai did not issue a statement and was not available for comment when contacted.
After the release of the first video, he had said that Ravichandran had approached him twice and had promised action as party chief, but “not before verifying the video and seeking clarifications from the persons concerned”.
Incidentally, Annamalai and Ravichandran, both in their 30s, were among those who joined the party ahead of the recent assembly elections.
Party leaders, on condition of anonymity, said several factors were at play. “There is a factional feud between senior Brahmin leaders, mostly RSS-backed, and non-Brahmin leaders, which has emerged in recent months and years,” said a leader. The quick rise of non-Brahmin leaders such as L Murugan, first as the party’s state head and now as a Union minister, and Annamalai as party chief, may have sidelined many stalwarts.
A top BJP leader, who previously held national posts, said Annamalai should have handled the situation better after the first video was released. “He should either resign or challenge the video.”
Other leaders, however, said the episode would not have any impact on the party. “It is more of a shame. People are seeing it. But this is no reason for Annamalai to resign.
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