Tamilisai visits auto driver attacked by BJP workers

In a goodwill gesture, Tamil Nadu BJP chief Tamilisai Soundararajan on Tuesday visited the residence of an autorickshaw driver, who was allegedly attacked by her party cadre when he sought to question the rising prices of petrol and diesel.

Kathir, the driver, welcomed Tamilisai into his modest dwelling and told her that his outburst against the regular increase in fuel prices was spontaneous and was not pre-planned.

“It was just an emotional outburst. The increase in fuel prices have put an additional burden on me and that’s why I wanted to raise it with you,” Kathir told Tamilisai before ushering her into his house. Tamilisai, who came with a packet of sweets, distributed them among Kathir’s family members and posed for pictures.

Though Tamilisai appeared to turn the other way when the autorickshaw driver was elbowed out of the venue on Sunday, she pleaded innocence.

Video recordings show Kathir seeking to know from Tamilisai why petrol prices were skyrocketing every day and BJP cadres were pushing him away from the site even as the state BJP chief continued to answer questions from journalists in Saidapet on Sunday evening.

“I went to autorickshaw driver Kathir’s residence and spent some time with his family. The aim of the visit is to dispel the impression that the BJP was intolerant. I did hear Kathir’s question on Sunday, but I did not know what happened later. I never smiled at him being elbowed out of the venue,” Tamilisai told reporters.

Speaking to DH, the autorickshaw driver said on Monday that he had gone to the venue where Tamilisai was attending an event and just sought to know why prices of fuel are on the increase.

"I expressed my anguish as an autorickshaw driver since we are badly affected by the increase in fuel prices. The moment I asked the question, BJP cadres dragged me by my head and even manhandled me before they handed me over to the police outside the venue. Is it a crime to ask questions to Tamilisai or a BJP leader?" Kathir asked. Though the BJP cadre handed him over to the police, Kathir was let off immediately.