Former Telangana governor Tamilisai Soundararajan has addressed the controversy surrounding a viral video of her interaction with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The video, which shows Shah gesturing animatedly while speaking to Soundararajan, led to speculation that he was admonishing her. However, Soundararajan has clarified that Shah was merely advising her to intensify her political and constituency work.
In a statement on social media platform X, Soundararajan explained the context of her conversation with Shah. “Yesterday, as I met our Honorable Home Minister Sri @AmitShah ji in AP for the first time after the 2024 Elections, he called me to ask about post-poll follow-up and the challenges faced. As I was elaborating, due to paucity of time with utmost concern, he advised to carry out the political and constituency work intensively which was reassuring. This is to clarify all unwarranted speculations,” she wrote.
The video was recorded at the swearing-in ceremony of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Chandrababu Naidu as the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh. It quickly went viral after some state BJP leaders suggested on social media that Shah was rebuking Soundararajan for her purported remarks against Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai.
Soundararajan, who contested the South Chennai Lok Sabha seat and lost to DMK’s Tamizhachi Thangapandian, declined to comment on the claims of intra-party discord when she returned to Chennai on Wednesday. Speculations have been rife about an alleged feud within the Tamil Nadu BJP, fueled by Soundararajan’s purported comments on “criminal elements” within the party and her assertion that an alliance with the AIADMK would have led to victory.
The controversy has drawn criticism from opposition figures. DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai questioned Shah’s conduct, stating, “What kind of politics is this? Is it civilised to bring a senior woman leader from Tamil Nadu on stage and exhibit harsh words, with a threatening body language? Is Amit Shah unaware that everyone will be watching this? Sets a very wrong precedent,” he posted on X.
Despite the speculation and criticism, Soundararajan has sought to put an end to the rumors, emphasizing that her conversation with Shah was focused on constructive political work following the elections.
