The BJP, perceived to be getting close to the AIADMK after the Lok Sabha elections, is set to take on the ruling party in the local bodies by-elections scheduled for September 18.
The message that the BJP will contest was sent out to its workers on Tuesday when State president Tamilisai Soundararajan, and organising secretary S. Mohanrajulu met MDMK general secretary Vaiko and DMDK leader Vijayakant and sought their support.
At the discussions, both leaders flagged the issue of the BJP cosying up to the AIADMK in the recent past.
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“Mr. Vaiko told Ms. Tamilisai that the meeting between [Union Minister] Ravi Shankar Prasad and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa last week sent confusing signals to the allies,” an MDMK source said. Mr. Vaiko also pointed to the difference in views between the parties on the policies of the Centre.
“He wanted the BJP to stay committed to the alliance till the 2016 Assembly elections,” a source said. Mr. Vaiko then agreed to support the BJP in the by-polls.
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Similarly, Mr. Vijayakant told the BJP that the offer of the post of Deputy Speaker in the Lok Sabha to the AIADMK caused doubts among the DMDK cadre about the alliance.
“Mr. Vijayakant said he would decide on the strategy after consulting his partymen. Since the BJP has sought support, we may think twice about fielding our own candidates. We may offer support to the BJP, as the MDMK does,” a DMDK leader said.
A senior BJP leader said the party would also seek the support of the PMK. “Our party wants to contest as many local body posts as possible. Coimbatore and Ramanathapuram are our strongholds.”
The BJP feels that since the DMK has decided to boycott the by-polls, all non-AIADMK votes may switch to the NDA.