AIADMK is our natural ally: Advani

Refers to how it has been continuing to co-operate with BJP

Cho Ramaswamy, Editor of “Thuglak”, greets BJP leader L.K. Advani at the magazine’s anniversary function in Chennai on Saturday. Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is in the picture.Photo: V. Ganesan

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader L.K. Advani on Saturday described the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) as the “natural ally” of his party.

This, he said, was not only because it was earlier a part of the National Democratic Alliance government headed by the BJP at the Centre, but also because of “the way the AIADMK has been continuing to co-operate with us and helping us with no reservations.”

He was speaking at the 42 anniversary of

Thuglak here. “We see Ms. Jayalalithaa (Tamil Nadu Chief Minister) and her party (AIADMK) as our natural ally because of the Central government's attitude to the non-Congress governments in the States.”

Referring to Ms. Jayalalithaa's speech at the National Development Council (NDC) meeting, he said she championed the cause of federalism and faulted the United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre for treating the State governments as “glorified municipal corporations.”

He recalled her saying that the Centre did not treat the States as “partners, leave alone as equal partners.” Besides, she had observed that the NDC meetings were “ritualistic' and “an exercise in futility,” he pointed out.

Mr. Advani thanked Ms. Jayalalithaa for her timely action in saving his life from a bomb planted near Madurai during his recent tour en route to Kerala. “What most touched me was that she said ‘It was providence which saved you. I would not have forgiven myself if something had happened to you'.”

Modi sees similarities

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who outlined the similarities between his State and Tamil Nadu and how the people of both States were contributing to the economy of each other and also the ancient links between the States, expressed the hope that under the leadership of Ms. Jayalalithaa Tamil Nadu would achieve remarkable progress.

He was happy to note that the people of Tamil Nadu were particularly severe in “punishing” the “corrupt”.

Cho Ramaswamy, Editor of Thuglak , said it was definite that the AIADMK would play a crucial role in the formation of the next government at the Centre.

“If at all there is going to be a government supported by the BJP (and not led by it), I would prefer that it helps Ms. Jayalalithaa become the Prime Minister,” he added.