Chennai, July 11: Following reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu, sitting Indian Union Muslim League MP Nawaz Ghani has said that he will stand against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and win.
Major media had reported that in a meeting attended by BJP leaders from 11 states in Telangana led by BJP National President JP Nadda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi should contest from Ramanathapuram constituency in Tamil Nadu in 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
One India Tamil asked some questions to Nawaz Gani, Member of Lok Sabha from Ramanathapuram constituency, who belongs to the Indian Union Muslim League party. Here are their answers to this.
Question: It was discussed in a meeting led by JP Nadda yesterday in Telangana while BJP is demanding that Prime Minister Modi should contest from Ramanathapuram constituency. What is your opinion as MP of that constituency?
Nawaz Ghani: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not allowed to contest in Tamil Nadu. All information about the situation in Tamil Nadu goes to him. I hope they consider everything.
Question: Why is the BJP saying that Modi should contest in Tamil Nadu? Why would he want to contest in Tamil Nadu when there are so many states?
Nawaz Ghani: After Kashi, Ramanathapura is the holiest place for Hindus. So contesting here may be his choice. But the chances are less. The situation here is different. Even if Prime Minister Narendra Modi contests here, I will contest against him in the DMK alliance and contest on behalf of the Indian Muslim League and win.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is saying that many welfare schemes will come to the constituency if he wins here. But even though the Prime Minister will contest in Ramanathapuram, he will also contest in another constituency in the northern state. Even if he wins 2 constituencies, he resigns in one constituency. So voting for him in Ramanathapura is of no use. If possible, let’s compete and win in only one constituency, he said.
Question: You say Ramanathapura is the holiest place for Hindus after Kashi. But Muslims have been MPs in Ramanathapura for the past 9 years. Mr. Anwar Raja was an MP from 2014 to 2019 and so are you for the last 4 years.
Nawaz Ghani: Ramanathapura is a land of religious harmony. There is no religious vote here. Before this, JK Ritish was a Member of Parliament. Muhammad Sharif was the MP from Ramanathapura. Nothing can be done here on the basis of religion. The situation in the field is different. We have people’s support. Whether PM Modi contests or drops Naynar Nagendra, we will win.
Question: Shri Nayanar Nagendran from BJP got 32.16% votes in the last election. You got 44.08 percent votes. AAMUK split the votes of AIADMK. AAMUK’s vote bank has fallen to AIADMK in subsequent elections. In this background, Modi is likely to get more votes when he contests here. Won’t it be a tough competition?
Nawaz Ghani: Nayanar Nagendran got vote because he belongs to Trimurti community. Similarly, O Panneerselvam will not get support votes even if the BJP contests in an alliance with the AIADMK. Sasikala’s support votes will not fall to her either. The Trinity community ignores them. So chances of success are less. If BJP rules, there will be problems of caste and religion.
There is a clash between the two factions in Manipur, which is now ruled by the BJP. Manipur has been worst affected by the violence. 4 Muslim League MPs have now left for Manipur to meet the people affected by the violence and survey the area. Now we have finished our studies and left. He said that he is still standing at the Kolkata airport.
