After showing a lot of promise, the BJP’s attempt to form a good alliance in Tamil Nadu is sagging as its prospective partners prove inflexible and place high demands.
Even after many rounds of talks, the BJP leadership in the State, banking heavily on its Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, has only one confirmed ally - Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) led by Vaiko.
Vijayakant is hedging his bets and his party, Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), is yet to make its stand known.
His decision to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh along with party MLAs has dimmed hopes for the BJP. Failure to make any headway in the talks with the DMDK also delayed seat-sharing discussion with other political parties.
“No setback”“But these developments have not caused any setback. Even today we held talks with the DMDK. But, we have so far not achieved any breakthrough,” said BJP State president Pon. Radhakrishnan.
Tamilaruvi Manian, founder of Gandhiya Makkal Iyakkam, against, who made efforts to bring together the BJP and the DMDK, also admitted that he could not succeed in his attempt.
“The BJP is straining every nerve to bring him into its alliance. But, Mr. Vijayakant is not showing any inclination. Recently, he organised an anti-corruption conference. He will lose his relevance if he joins hands with the Congress,” said Mr. Manian.
As far as the PMK is concerned, the party is very particular about contesting in all 10 seats for which it had already announced candidates.
“We will not compromise on the issue as we fielded candidates as early as on October 21, 2013 and they have already toured the constituencies two times,” said a highly-placed source in the PMK.
Indiya Jananayaka Katchi (IJK), an ally of the BJP, is eyeing a couple of constituencies and the PMK is not ready to share them with anyone. The PMK is also particular that its partners in the Social Democratic Alliance (SDA) launched “to experiment with social engineering” in Tamil Nadu should be accommodated in the BJP alliance. This has also caused delay in clinching the deal with the BJP.
