BJP rules out political alliance with AIADMK, DMK

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 23

Congratulating AIADMK Chief J. Jayalalithaa on assuming office of the Chief Minister for the fifth time, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday said the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre will maintain “the best relationship” with the Tamil Nadu government and “fully cooperate” with it, but ruled out any political alliance with either the AIADMK or the DMK in the state for now.

To a question on his party’s future strategy in Tamil Nadu — a state where the BJP managed to win two seats in the last General Election — he cautiously ruled out any political alliance with the AIADMK or its chief rival DMK for now.

To a question on BJP’s strategy for Assembly elections in the state, he said: “The BJP is not part of the AIADMK or DMK alliance in the state. There are many issues in Parliament where we agree with the parties. However, we have issues of differences also.

“So far as elections (in Tamil Nadu) are concerned, we have our own strategy. But as far as the state government is concerned, we will maintain the best relationship and fully cooperate with them because as far as people’s welfare is concerned we have no differences”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shares a cordial relationship with Jayalalithaa. As Gujarat Chief Minister, Modi had attended her swearing-in ceremony as the CM in 2011. She reciprocated by attending his swearing-in ceremony as the Gujarat CM. The AIADMK chief also happens to be among those non-BJP leaders who extended support to Modi’s prime ministerial bid in 2013. Her party has also supported the NDA on many issues in Parliament.

However, Modi’s promptness in congratulating her was seen as more than a courtesy call. Top BJP leaders are aware that the AIADMK chief has her own mind on issue and political plans, including a more significant role in at the Central level. However, the BJP is in need of help from regional parties to push through key legislations in the Rajya Sabha where it is in a minority.

With 37 MPs in the Lok Sabha and 11 members in the Rajya Sabha, Jayalalithaa wields considerable power in Parliament. Her chief rival DMK, which drew a naught in the Lok Sabha polls, also has four members in the Upper House. Notably, in the 2014 General election the BJP won a seat in the Southern state — a traditional bastion of Dravidian parties.