Tue Jan 07 15:09:12 UTC 2025: ## BJP Leader Accuses Tamil Nadu CM of Bias in Protest Permits and Pongal Gift Distribution
**COIMBATORE, January 7, 2025** – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Tamilisai Soundararajan today accused Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin of bias in granting protest permits, alleging that while the DMK was allowed to protest, the BJP was denied permission. Soundararajan made these claims during a press conference in Coimbatore.
Soundararajan specifically criticized the lack of CM response regarding justice for an Anna University student involved in a sexual assault case, contrasting it with the CM’s public commentary on the Tamil Nadu Governor. She highlighted that while the DMK received permission for protests concerning both the Governor and a tungsten project in Madurai, similar requests from the BJP were rejected. She demanded an explanation from the state government regarding this disparity.
Further criticizing the state government, Soundararajan pointed out the omission of cash from this year’s Pongal gift hampers, suggesting the move was politically motivated with an eye towards the 2026 elections. She predicted a significant setback for the DMK in the upcoming polls. She also dismissed the Governor’s request to play the national anthem as divisive, instead accusing Stalin of promoting discrimination.
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