Taking over as DMK president M K Stalin today launched a frontal attack on the Narendra Modi government, accusing it of trying to 'saffronise' the country.
"The Narendra Modi government is trying to paint the nation in the colour saffron (a symbol of Hindutva). Let's teach it a lesson," he said in his maiden address to the General Council after his elevation.
Stalin's no-holds barred attack puts an end to speculations that DMK and BJP were seemingly moving closer ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
The DMK's recent announcement that BJP chief Amit Shah will take part in a meeting to condole the death of its patriarch M Karunanidhi on August 30 here added fuel to the fire.
However, BJP yesterday said union minister Nitin Gadkari and national secretary Muralidhar Rao would represent the party in the meeting.
Earlier, the Centre declaring a national mourning as a mark of respect to Karunanidhi and according state funeral besides adjournment of both houses of Parliament were also seen a move by the BJP to keep the DMK in good humour.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Chennai to pay his last respects to the Dravidian stalwart and Stalin paying tributes to departed BJP leader A B Vajpayee in Delhi were considered as beyond mere political courtesies in the backdrop of BJP scouting for new allies ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
Stalin alleged the Central government was attempting to destroy the basic tenets governing the spheres of "education, art, literature and religion."
While making it clear that the DMK will stick to its Dravidian and rationalist ideals, Stalin, however, said,"We will respect the beliefs of others even if we do not have faith (in those). We are not those who oppose God."
Trying to emulate the signature style of his father in addressing the cadres, Stalin began his 25 minute address with the words "en uyirinum melana Kalaignarin anbu udanpirappugaley (my dear brothers of Kalaignar, you are above my life.)
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content