LS polls: MP who made ‘gaumutra states’ remark among 6 dropped by DMK
On December 5, 2023, Senthilkumar asked why the BJP could win polls only in the Hindi heartland states, “what we generally call as gaumutra (cow urine) states”
The DMK has not renominated six sitting MPs for the upcoming Lok Sabha election. Among them is Dharmapuri MP, S Senthilkumar, who infamously made the “gaumutra states” remark in Parliament.
Senthilkumar took to social media to thank his well-wishers and expressed satisfaction in working for the people of Dharmapuri Lok Sabha constituency for the past five years and for having brought several schemes to the region.
He conveyed his best wishes to A Mani, an advocate who has been named by the DMK as its candidate for the Dharmapuri seat.
Courting controversy
Many wondered on social media why he was not given another chance by the party to contest the Lok Sabha polls, while there were also some critical comments over his remarks that became controversial in the past.
On December 5, 2023, Senthilkumar asked why the BJP could win polls only in the Hindi heartland states, “what we generally call as gaumutra (cow urine) states”. He had also said that “you (BJP) cannot come to South India” while speaking on a debate on Bills related to Jammu and Kashmir.
The BJP condemned it and Senthilkumar, too, apologised after DMK president MK Stalin reprimanded him.
While taking part in a ceremony in 2022 for a local project, he had demanded to know why Christian and Muslim priests were not present and why Hindu rituals alone should be held at the event.
Senthilkumar’s post
In a card posted on X, Senthilkumar described himself as an “unconventional” politician: “Thank you Twitter friends for enormous support & unconditional love. What have I done to receive such bountiful unadulterated Love. I have done nothing spl, Other than being myself an -Unconventional politician. How am I going to repay this....”
The five other sitting MPs who have not been renominated by the DMK are SR Parthiban (Salem), Dhanush M Kumar (Tenkasi), K Shanmuga Sundaram (Pollachi), Gautham Sigamani (Kallakurichi), and SS Palanimanickam (Thanjavur). Gautham Sigamani is the son of former minister and senior DMK leader K Ponmudy.
The Madras HC had convicted Ponmudy in December last year in a disproportionate assets case. The conviction was later suspended by the Supreme Court. A case related to Governor RN Ravi declining to appoint Ponmudy as a minister, despite Chief Minister Stalin’s advice, is pending in the apex court.
(With agency inputs)