A war of words erupted between Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje after the BJP leader said that a person from Tamil Nadu planted the bomb in Bengaluru’s Rameswaram Cafe.

While Stalin condemned her remarks and sought legal action against her, Karandalje hit back, saying Stalin does “appeasement politics”. However, she apologised for her remarks, later saying that it was “meant to shine light, not cast shadows”..

Shobha Karandlaje, Union Minister of State For Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, stated that the bomber behind the Rameshwaram blasts was trained in Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri forests, “under your (Stalin’s) nose”.

In a widely shared video on social media, Shobha could be heard saying, “People from Tamil Nadu come here, get trained there, and plant bombs here. They placed a bomb in the cafe,” referring to the bomb blast at Bengaluru’s Rameshwaram Cafe on March 1.

Retweeting the viral video of Karandlaje on X, Chief Minister MK Stalin condemned her remarks and called for legal action against the BJP leader. Stalin termed her claims as “reckless” and said only an NIA official or someone closely linked to the case should have the authority to make any remarks.

“Clearly, she lacks the authority for such assertions. Tamilians and Kannadigas alike will reject this divisive rhetoric of BJP. I also urge for appropriate legal action against Shobha for causing a threat to peace, harmony and national unity,” Stalin’s tweet read.

“From the Prime Minister to cadre, everyone in the BJP should stop engaging in this dirty divisive politics at once. ECI must take note of this hate speech and initiate stringent action immediately,” he added.