Chennai, April 12 (IANS) Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Telangana Governor, Tamilisai Soundararajan, on Sunday accused the Congress of making the other opposition parties, who might be in favour of the Women’s Reservation Bill, to withdraw their support.

Soundararajan, who is contesting from the Mylapore Assembly constituency in the April 23 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, took part in a campaign rally on Sunday.

Expressing her happiness about the Women’s Reservation Bill, she said, “Women coming up in politics is not an easy job. I am very thankful to our Prime Minister Narendra Modi because even after 78 years of Independence, we (women) are unable to get that recognition. It is only during PM Modi’s tenure that we are getting this recognition.”

Speaking to IANS, veteran BJP leader Soundararajan said that in spite of all the support for the Bill, “the Opposition parties are trying to halt it”.

She specifically targeted the Congress, adding: “Particularly the Congress is not supporting the Bill but it is also making other opposition parties withdraw their support. Women will identify the political parties who are against their empowerment.”

During Soundararajan’s election rally, the BJP candidate mentioned that roads and heritage sites in her Assembly constituency are currently not being maintained.

“This (Mylapore Assembly) constituency requires significant development. It is an ancient area with rich heritage structures, but they are not being properly maintained.”

She added that the roads also are not in a good condition.

“Development is needed in two key areas — first, basic amenities, and second, the preservation of cultural monuments, temples, and other heritage sites,” the BJP leader asserted.

She flagged that people are suffering due to lack of basic amenities despite the area being situated in the state capital Chennai.

She urged that every street needs to be taken care of.

About PM Modi’s upcoming visit to Tamil Nadu to campaign for the upcoming Assembly polls, Soundararajan said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit will motivate not only the BJP cadres but also the people of the state. Whenever he (PM Modi) comes, it signifies development and the possibility of a double-engine government.”

Displaying optimism about the BJP’s victory in the upcoming state polls, the BJP leader said, “There will definitely be a change of government this time in Tamil Nadu.”

–IANS

cg/khz