Coimbatore: The behaviour of a senior BJP leader with a female reporter has come in for fierce criticism from all quarters including the media.
K Annamalai, president of Tamil Nadu’s BJP unit, stoked controversy while answering a question posed the reporter.
Asked whether he will remain with the BJP if he was not the state unit president, Annamalai snapped at the reporter on camera, and asked her to stand next to him so that everyone could see her.
“Come and stand next to me. Let the people see through TV as to who asked me such a question. There is a way to ask questions. Eight crore people should know the person who asked such a brilliant question,” the BJP leader snapped.
“I’m not a full-time politician. Being a farmer is my identity, then a politician and then being with BJP,” Annamalai said, repeatedly asking the woman reporter to stand in front of cameras.
As fellow-journalists objected, Annamalai tried to tone down, saying that he was only advising the reporter to ask questions in a proper manner.
“With good intent I’m advising you sister,” the BJP leader said.
Coimbatore Press Club strongly condemned the BJP leader for his behaviour.
“Before trying to preach journalism ethics, Annamalai should learn the ethics of being a leader and act honourably. Journalism stands as a bridge between the citizens and those in public life,” said AR Babu, the president of Coimbatore Press Club.
The Congress also launched a tirade against BJP.
“I have not seen such arrogance in anybody… not even in Ms Jayalalithaa, Mr Modi or Mr Shah. This man thinks he is God’s gift to humankind! Can any politician in Tamil Nadu, including the chief minister or Mr Edappadi Palaniswami get away, speaking the way Annamalai does to a woman journalist?” Lakshmi Ramachandran of Tamil Nadu Congress wrote on X.
