Infusing hope in the State unit of the BJP, which is yet to firm up alliances, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the party’s doors are always open.
He also indicated that the BJP would be keen on an electoral tie-up with “old friends” for the Lok Sabha elections.
Responding to a question from a functionary, during a video-conference with cadre of the BJP’s Arakkonam, Krishnagiri, Erode, Cuddalore and Dharmapuri units, on whether the party would tie up with the AIADMK, DMK or Rajinikanth [yet to float a party], Mr. Modi recalled that 20 years ago former Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee had ushered in a successful coalition.
“Atal ji gave utmost importance to regional aspirations... BJP has always followed the path Atal ji has shown us,” he said, adding, “we cherish our old friends and our doors are always open for parties.”
‘Tie-up likely’
BJP leaders from Tamil Nadu hailed Mr. Modi’s position.
“The Prime Minister’s speech has been welcomed by everyone. The BJP will be able to form a major alliance in Tamil Nadu for the Lok Sabha election and will win a minimum of 30 seats,” said Union Minister Pon. Radhakrishnan.
Asked whether the ruling AIADMK would ally with the BJP, all Mr. Radhakrishnan would say was that parties that appreciated the achievements of the Modi government would be ready to be part of the alliance because the Congress had only created a myth that it was gaining ground.
“In fact, DMK president M.K. Stalin’s proposal for making Rahul Gandhi the Prime Ministerial candidate was not relished even by his alliance partners. The DMK leaders were also kept in the dark,” Mr. Radhakrishnan pointed out.
In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP had the PMK, MDMK and DMDK in its fold. The BJP won in Kanniyakumari constituency and PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss was elected from Dharmapuri.
Asked about the overture, AIADMK MP V. Maitrayen said Mr. Modi as the leader of the BJP had made his intentions clear while addressing party workers from Tamil Nadu. The AIADMK would view it only from that angle, he added.
“As far as an alliance is concerned, our high command had already indicated that a decision would be taken once elections are announced,” Mr. Maitrayen said, adding that the Congress’ failure to gain any major alliance partners except for the DMK would give the BJP-led NDA an edge in the election.
‘Realignment on cards’
Hinting at the possibility of a realignment in Tamil Nadu as there are political parties that are not part of any alliance now, he said that while a bruised BJP might not be able to secure the number of seats it won in 2014, it would still be able to form the government.
“On the contrary, the Congress may not be able to make the giant leap from 44 seats to 244,” he said, explaining that in a major state like Uttar Pradesh both Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati were not ready to accommodate it, while Mamata Banerjee would not do so in West Bengal.
“I am told that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will not include the Congress in his alliance. Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao will also not opt for an alliance with the Congress, while the Communists will fight against it in the States where they are strong,” he said.
