| 28 September 2023
| Christie Anto
Chennai, India - In a significant political development, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has officially declared its intention to form a separate alliance for the forthcoming Parliamentary elections, effectively ending its four-year-old association with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and departing from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The decision comes in direct contradiction to the statements made by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and his son Udhayanidhi Stalin, who had previously asserted that AIADMK would continue its alliance with the BJP.
The announcement was made by AIADMK senior leader KP Munusamy during a press conference held in Krishnagiri. Munusamy clarified that the party had not requested the removal of BJP's state president, K Annamalai. He stated, "It is childish to even ask if such a large party like AIADMK would seek the removal of the party's state president. We will never commit such a mistake. We are not uncivilized leaders to tell another party how it should function. AIADMK is not such a party."
Responding to questions about the possibility of rejoining the NDA in the future, Munusamy firmly stated, "At no point will we join NDA but will create a new alliance headed by Edapadi K Palanisamy."
The decision to break away from the NDA was reached during a high-level meeting led by AIADMK chief Edapadi K Palaniswami at the party's headquarters in Chennai. The news was met with enthusiastic celebrations by AIADMK party workers, who set off fireworks outside the headquarters.
Tamil Nadu BJP vice-president Narayanan Thirupathy, when asked about his party's response to the AIADMK's decision, stated, "The national leadership will address the matter."
Meanwhile, the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has consistently characterized the AIADMK's actions as mere political theater. The AIADMK's move to break ties with the BJP came shortly after senior party leaders held discussions with BJP chief JP Nadda in New Delhi. During the meeting, they conveyed their concerns about the political landscape in Tamil Nadu, particularly in response to the aggressive style of politics exhibited by BJP's state leader, K Annamalai. They had demanded an apology from Annamalai for his remarks about Dravidian stalwart CN Annadurai or suggested his replacement.
The AIADMK's decision to form a separate alliance for the upcoming Parliamentary elections has injected a new dynamic into Tamil Nadu's political landscape. As the party charts its independent course, it remains to be seen how this development will impact the political equations in the state and on the national stage. The upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls will undoubtedly serve as a critical litmus test for the AIADMK's newfound political direction.
Commentaires