Chennai: BJP is exploring options to get the AIADMK, the third largest party in Lok Sabha, into the NDA fold. The party might broach the topic with J Jayalalithaa during her visit to the national capital later this month.
Highly placed sources in the BJP said AIADMK’s presence in the NDA would give more credence to the alliance as the only anti-Congress force. A senior BJP leader, who is voicing in party forums his opinion in favour of bringing the AIADMK into the NDA fold, said the Dravidian party is for all practical purpose an ally of the BJP.
“Though she is not part of the NDA, she is a trusted friend and ally. She and her party have been supporting us on almost all issues both inside and outside the Parliament. It would really be good to have her with the NDA, but the decision is eventually left to Ms Jayalalithaa,” the leader said.
AIADMK, whose combined strength in both Houses of Parliament is 50, has been bailing out the BJP Government in Rajya Sabha where it lacks a majority.
