The relations between Jayalalithaa and Narendra Modi have always been good
Jayalalithaa and PM Narendra Modi. (Photo: PTI/File)
Chennai: In the next state election, AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa would most likely admit the BJP in her alliance while dumping the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Marxists (CPI-M), she had shown the Left the door even in the recent Parliament elections when she decided to go it alone and contested all the 40 seats (including the one in Puducherry).
The relations between her and Narendra Modi have always been good barring a short period of sparring at the hustings during the Parliament poll and the most recent illustration of the growing bonhomie between their two parties was seen in the AIADMK member M. Thambidurai becoming the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
Usually, this position is given to the main opposition party but this time, Modi decided to snub the Congress and give the post to the third-largest party in the Lok Sabha, the AIADMK of friend Jayalalithaa.
Shrewd that she has always been in her political calculations, Jayalalithaa is expected to sew up an alliance with Modi’s BJP for the elections in Tamil Nadu so that she could cement good relations with the Centre. The BJP leaders in Tamil Nadu would be more than happy if she gives them around 15 seats in the state assembly whereas the gains for her would be enormous.
One argument against this possibility of Jayalalithaa aligning with the BJP is that she would be worried about losing Muslim votes; but then, the Muslims have mostly been against her and besides, their votes may not matter too much barring in a few constituencies.
The BJP national executive member L. Ganesan who is tipped to be become party’s national vice-president says, “We have not started thinking on political alignment yet. I had a frank discussion with the party president Amit Shah on the political scenario in Tamil Nadu. Presently, the Modi government at the Centre is keen on maintaining good relations with the states. Prime Minister has started a new convention by offering Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker post to AIADMK’s Thambidurai. This is significant as Mr Modi is keen on working in tandem with the CMs, particularly the TN Chief Minister.”
Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan, the BJP national secretary, said, “Though there is scope for political realignment in 2016 assembly polls, it may be premature to discuss about electoral ties. May be this could be part of party’s future plans. For the present, the party leadership is involved in strengthening the BJP.”
( Source : dc )
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