Buoyed by its performance in the Assembly elections in four States, the BJP in Tamil Nadu has made overtures to political parties, including the MDMK, led by Vaiko, and the PMK.
The two parties have responded positively, according to top leaders.
The BJP has planned a mega rally in Chennai in February next year, and its Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is expected to take part, along with BJP’s new alliance partners.
BJP’s national secretary P. Muralidhar Rao and the party’s state president Pon Radhakrishnan have been in touch with PMK leader and former Union Minister Anbumani Ramadoss.
He had spoken to his father and PMK founder, Dr Ramadoss, who was reluctant about an alliance with the BJP.
Both Dr. Ramadoss and Mr. Anbumani Ramadoss are expected to visit Delhi this month-end to meet BJP president Rajnath Singh and other senior leaders. Once the alliance is formalised, Mr. Rajnath Singh will visit Chennai in January.
“We waited for the DMK to make up its mind on alliance. Now it has decided not to have alliance with both the BJP and the Congress, we are moving ahead with our plans to rope in other parties,” a senior BJP leader said
The BJP has opened channels with Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) leader Vijayakant, but he had asked for some more time to indicate his stand.
“The alliance is taking shape. I am also in touch with Mr Vijayakant. Though he is keeping cards close to his chest, he never reacted negatively to my approach,” said Tamilaruvi Manian, founder of Gandhiya Makkal Iyakkam, who is among the leaders facilitating a BJP-led alliance in the State.
