Chennai: It may not be the bigwigs in the ruling AIADMK that the saffron party is keen on targeting. The fence sitters and those not desirous of taking sides in the ongoing faction war seem to be closest to the BJP’s heart. Close on the heels of former minister Nainar Nagendran and others from the AIADMK, the BJP welcomed AIADMK Medical Wing’s former state joint secretary Dr C.N. Rajadurai into the party.
Rajadurai had joined the BJP in the presence of party president Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan on Wednesday. “We will accept those willing to strive for the BJP’s growth, into our fold. Many loyalists of late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa are likely to join our party in the coming days,” a BJP senior pointed out.
The party hopes to prosper while eyeing the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. “We are preparing for it with enthusiasm and of course our leaders will work out a strategy soon. In all likelihood, the Assembly elections may be held simultaneously,” the senior leader claimed. In fact, recently, Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan had predicted an “exodus” from the AIADMK and DMK.
BJP justifies Governor’s action, dares Oppn to move for trust vote
Meanwhile, the BJP justified the Governor’s decision on not directing CM Palaniswami to prove his majority in the House, merely because pro-TTV Dhinakaran MLAs submitted a memorandum. Questioning the rationale behind putting forth such a demand, Dr Tamilisai said the AIADMK leadership should take a call on the rebellion in the party adding, “The Governor has made a right decision taking into account the prevailing political situation in the state. He is an experienced and able administrator and knows how to face a crisis like this.” Party’s national secretary H. Raja asked “Why should the Opposition meet the Governor over the bickering within a party. Why don’t they move trust vote in the Assembly?”
