Union Minister L. Murugan lashed out at the DMK government in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday for permitting the funeral procession of SA Basha, who was responsible for masterminding the 1998 serial bombings in Coimbatore.

"I strongly condemn the DMK government. The DMK government is supporting the terrorist who was involved in the 1998 Coimbatore blast. More than 56 persons died in that blast," Murugan told ANI.

According to the Minister, LK Advani, a senior BJP politician, was the target of the bombing, which killed 56 persons and injured numerous others. "We all know that our senior leader Advani was going to participate in a public rally where the blast took place. Almost 56 people died and more than 100 people got injured. DMK government is not bothered about those who sacrificed their lives," Murugan said. "They are supporting the terrorists. This process and the DMK government has to be stopped and the DMK government has to maintain law and order situation in the state of Tamil Nadu," he added.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticised the INDI alliance for the state government's decision to permit the funeral procession of SA Basha. Basha, the founder of the Al-Ummar group, passed away from an illness while he was on parole. He had been serving a prison sentence for being the mastermind behind the 1998 serial blasts. "Shocker from Tamil Nadu. 1998 Coimbatore blast mastermind who murdered 58 Indians and injured 231 others given a state-sponsored "martyr" status! Namaz E Janaza allowed for a terrorist and he is hailed as state police watches on and gives security!" BJP leader Poonawalla posted on X.

Additionally, he charged that the INDI alliance prioritised "vote bank security" before "national security."

"Why was Basha's Janaza allowed? Because INDI puts vote bank security above national security. From hailing Afzal to now Basha- from saving SIMI to PFI- this is INDI ka aatanki prem," Poonawalla said. On Wednesday, Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai claimed that the DMK government's approval of Basha's funeral procession was evidence of "minority appeasement."

"It only shows to what level the DMK government is involved in minority appeasement... A person (SA Basha) who took the lives of innocent people died during parole... This is shameful (the allowing of the funeral procession) ...Coimbatore BJP unit will observe a black day on coming Friday because the law and order have died today..." Annamalai told reporters.

DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan supported the funeral procession, stating that it was the family's right. He also mentioned that the government had no involvement in the procession. "It is their right. The family of a deceased takes out a funeral procession... BJP celebrates the birthday of Gandhi's assassin... The government has nothing to do with this procession. How can we stop someone's last rites?" Elangovan remarked.