On Monday, AIADMK leader D. Jayakumar clarified that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is not in a coalition with the K. Palaniswami-led party in Tamil Nadu.
"We will make our alliance decisions during the upcoming elections," stated senior leader D. Jayakumar on Monday, addressing reporters and providing clarification on political alliances in anticipation of the pivotal 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.
He mentioned that while Annamalai had made disparaging comments about AIADMK leaders, including the late J. Jayalalithaa, the party had requested that the BJP leader be restrained.
"Annamalai doesn't desire alliance with AIADMK lthough BJP workers want it. 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," the former minister expressed his views to reporters here, strongly criticizing the BJP and its state unit president.
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"We can't tolerate anymore (the criticism of leaders). As far as alliance is concerned, it is not there. BJP is not with AIADMK (the matter) can be decided only during election. This is our stand," he added.
"Have I ever spoken to you in that capacity? I only talk what the party decides.", D jayakumar said.
D. Jayakumar strongly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party, indicating that tensions between the AIADMK and BJP appeared to have reached a breaking point.
Significantly, the BJP has been actively seeking opportunities to gain a foothold in southern states following its loss of Karnataka, its last stronghold, to the Congress in this year's Assembly elections. The southern states in India were hailed as "BJP-free" after the Karnataka Assembly Elections results.
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However, the BJP's attempts to make inroads into Tamil Nadu have encountered significant resistance that goes beyond mere partisan politics. This resistance ranges from accusations of the BJP imposing Hindi on Tamil Nadu to the recent controversy sparked by MK Stalin's son, Udhayanidhi Stalin, regarding the Sanatan Dharma remark.
Opposition from Tamil Nadu is deeply rooted in historical and cultural debates rather than a simple power struggle. While Prime Minister Modi's efforts, such as bringing in the Adheenam seers during the inauguration of the new Parliament building, may seem like steps toward gaining support in the Tamil Nadu vote bank, the state is historically divided by the ideologies of Sanatan and Dravidam.
