| 18 September 2023
| Christie Anto
Tamil Nadu, India - In a surprising turn of events, the already fragile relationship between the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tamil Nadu appears to have reached a breaking point. On Monday, senior AIADMK leader D Jayakumar made a startling announcement, asserting that there is currently no alliance with the saffron organization and that any decision regarding a potential electoral pact will only be made during the upcoming elections.
The rift between the two parties escalated when D Jayakumar launched a scathing attack on K Annamalai, the BJP state chief, for his criticism of Dravidian stalwart C N Annadurai. Jayakumar, while addressing reporters, vehemently defended his party's legacy and declared that AIADMK workers would not tolerate any affront to the memory of their late Chief Minister.
One of the most notable grievances expressed by Jayakumar was the critical remarks made by Annamalai about AIADMK leaders, including the revered J Jayalalithaa. AIADMK had previously sought to have the BJP leader restrained due to these comments.
"Annamalai doesn't desire an alliance with AIADMK, although BJP workers want it," Jayakumar asserted. "Should we tolerate all this criticism of our leaders? Why should we carry you? BJP can't set foot here. Your vote bank is known. You are known because of us," he continued, directing his ire at the BJP and its state unit president.
In a clear indication of the mounting tensions, Jayakumar firmly stated, "We can't tolerate any more criticism of our leaders. As far as the alliance is concerned, it is not there. BJP is not with AIADMK. The matter can be decided only during the election. This is our stand."
When questioned about whether this was his personal opinion, Jayakumar emphasized, "Have I ever spoken to you in that capacity? I only talk about what the party decides."
This unexpected declaration by a senior AIADMK leader has thrown a cloud of uncertainty over the future of the AIADMK-BJP alliance in Tamil Nadu. With elections looming on the horizon, both parties will need to carefully assess their options and gauge the sentiments of their respective supporters. The coming months are sure to witness intense political maneuvering and negotiations as they decide whether to join forces once again or forge their own paths in the fiercely competitive political landscape of Tamil Nadu.
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