Congress’s Sasikanth Senthil on ‘Battle of Ideologies’ with BJP’s K Annamalai

Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu: The political landscape of Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district is witnessing a clash of ideologies as Sasikanth Senthil, a former IAS officer and the Lok Sabha election candidate for Congress, locks horns with K Annamalai, former IPS officer and BJP nominee.

Describing the electoral contest as more than just a clash between two Civil Service officers, Senthil emphasizes it as a battle between contrasting ideologies that shape the essence of India.

“This is not merely a confrontation between an IPS and an IAS officer. It’s a clash between two ideologies at opposite ends of the spectrum: one epitomizing the idea of India, championed by the Congress, and the other representing ideologies antithetical to the nation’s ethos, embodied by the BJP,” stated Senthil, the incumbent MP from Tiruvallur.

Annamalai, who resigned from the IPS in 2019 citing personal reasons, later joined the BJP and has been nominated from the Coimbatore district for the Lok Sabha polls.

“The people of Tamil Nadu are rallying for a cause. It’s a battle between those who uphold the values of India and those who don’t,” Senthil reiterated.

Having resigned from the IAS in protest in 2019, citing ethical concerns, Senthil’s foray into politics was driven by a commitment to safeguard the democratic fundamentals. “This election is pivotal not just for the party but for the nation as a whole, and I am honored to be part of it,” he conveyed to India Today TV.

Reflecting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s frequent visits to Tamil Nadu, Senthil remarked, “The people of Tamil Nadu recognize that the Prime Minister’s focus is primarily on elections. Such an intense electoral orientation by a Prime Minister is unprecedented.”

“The entire party seems to have transitioned into election mode. Governance and public welfare have taken a backseat, overshadowed by the emphasis on event management and campaigning,” he added.

Tamil Nadu is slated to cast its votes for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in a single phase on April 19, with counting scheduled for June 4.