Politics
BJP’s E Sreedharan Says Voters Washing, Touching His Part of Indian Culture, Expression of Respect
E Sreedharan addresses BJP rally. (Image: Twitter/ANI)
As images of men and women washing and touching his feet on campaign trail went viral, Sreedharan said there was no wrong in it as they weren’t worshipping him.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s surprise candidate for the Palakkad constituency in Kerala for the upcoming Assembly election, E Sreedharan rejected criticism from opposition over images of supporters washing his feet and said it was part of Indian culture. He said there was nothing wrong in it and the probable voters were not expressing their respect.
As images of men and women washing and touching his feet on campaign trail went viral on social media and his opponents started taking on him, the 88-year-old entrant to politics, known as the Metroman of India, said, “It is our Indian tradition. What is wrong with it? They were expressing their respect. They were not worshipping (me),” he said.
Calling it “spiritual politics, CPI leader and Rajya Sabha MP Yogendran said that at a time when politicians touch feet of voters, Sreedharan was entering a new domain but with same intention of “serving the country”.
Earlier, Sreedharan said he hoped the BJP would come around the proposal of making him its chief ministerial candidate in the Kerala Assembly election, adding that only then will it get a new face and image in the state.
He said his main aim is to help the BJP come to power in Kerala where the election is due on April 6.
The renowned technocrat said he felt the need to do something for the state as people are fed with the two alternatives. “I am in good shape… I felt I needed to do something for the state… the people of Kerala are fed up with the LDF and UDF governments… people are fed up of the lavish spending of the government… I feel that the people of the state need a third alternative,” he said.
