Subramanian Swamy's remarks are his personal opinion: PMK

Chennai, Dec 9: Senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy's remarks asking NDA ally PMK to walk out of the coalition like MDMK for its criticism of the Narendra Modi government has not gone down well with the party's state unit, which had since dismissed his outburst as his 'personal opinion.'

PMK, on its part, reiterated that Prime Minster Narendra Modi was not above criticism and that some of the reasons MDMK founder Vaiko gave for his severing of ties with the national party was "acceptable to us also."

BJP state unit President Tamizhisai Sounderrajan indicated that Swamy's remarks could affect the morale of allies and that it was a matter of concern. "That is his (Swamy's) personal opinion (but) such remarks are a matter of concern for both our allies and ourselves," she told PTI.

Sounderrajan said many leaders were expressing opinions on a myriad of issues on Twitter but only the word of the party high command or that of the state unit should be taken as official, she said while adding that BJP wanted its led alliance in the state to be intact. To a question if Vaiko was welcome to join the alliance in the future, she said it could happen if the firebrand leader "realised his mistake."

Earlier, Swamy, who had previously mounted an attack against Vaiko for his strident criticism of the Modi government on issues including 'imposition' of Hindi and Sanskrit besides Centre's cordial relations with Sri Lanka, made a repeat today, asking PMK also to walk out.

Accusing PMK of being pro-LTTE, he wrote on twitter that "PMK (founder S) Ramadoss should also depart from NDA". An unperturbed Ramadoss insisted that he will not hesitate to continue with his criticism of the NDA government since he will slam anyone who commits a "mistake."

"I have also criticised BJP and there is nothing wrong in it. He (Narendra Modi) is a common Prime Minister to all of India and he is not above criticism," he told reporters here. Much like Vaiko, PMK also has voiced opposition to some of the policies of the NDA government, including promoting Hindi and Sanskrit and had even backed the MDMK chief during attacks from Swamy and and another leader, H Raja.

PTI