![Rama Srinivasan](http://media.assettype.com/vikatan%2F2024-01%2F11525056-1c36-4610-9d49-61de94d2b0ec%2F65b3ec417f876.jpg?rect=0%2C0%2C6250%2C3516&w=480&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
"Even the picture of Thiruvalluvar, approved by the central and state governments, is dressed in white. But the governor puts up a saffron picture and calls him a Sanatan saint!"
"In the film Thiruvalluvar released in 1959, there was a lot of vibhuti on the forehead. There was a Rudraksha... He looked like a Hindu saint. Is that how the DMK is now? For us, Thiruvalluvar was a Hindu. Thirukkural is not universal... Hindu literature. Various Kurals including seven births and fate occur only in Hindu religious beliefs. I'm ready for a public debate on this."
"The BJP says Jallikattu is a Sanatan festival."
"Jallikattu is Sanatan. It is a Hindu game. Jallikattu is associated with the temple festival. How many Muslims and Christians tam bulls? Jallikattu is a Hindu Sanatan festival because no one rears cows except Hindus."
"Even if the alliance is broken, what is the reason for adopting a soft line with the AIADMK?"
"We don't want the votes to be split. But Edappadi has to understand this. If they come, we will ally with them. If they don't come, we'll win without them."
"Gayathri Raghuram joins AIADMK on the day Modi arrives in Tamil Nadu."
"It's good. When it comes to politics, it is natural to change parties. It is normal to change ideologies. Some people change parties for petty reasons. I don't know why she changed. The fact that Modi came to AIADMK on the day he came to Tamil Nadu is like tying a knot on his head and knees. It doesn't have any effect."
With whom will the BJP ally in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections?
"Our national leadership will make a decision on this; Therefore, it would not be appropriate for me to answer this."