The talks between BJP and Vijayakanth’s DMDK are still underway for an alliance in lok Sabha polls in Tamil Nadu and a “final response” is awaited from the latter’s side. According to a senior BJP leader, the discussions with DMDK are in progress with State leaders conducting the negotiations. He said the issue of seat sharing does not figure at this stage of discussion. “We are waiting for DMDK to respond,” he said.
The BJP’s State-in-charge Murlidhar Rao has been meeting Vijayakanth , the last being in January, for working out the modalities for the poll tie-up. “A final word is yet to be said on the issue,” according to sources, hinting at a number of issues involved , including the seat sharing with other alliance partners in the State. Vaiko’s MDMK has been the first to align with the BJP in Tamil Nadu with Dr S Ramadoss’ PMK being next in line. According to sources, the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, who would be in Chennai on Saturday for his public rally, could meet some of the MDMK leaders.
State BJP president Pon Radhakrishnan has expressed hope that an alliance would be worked out with DMDK that would emerge as a ‘Third Front’ in the state dominated by DMK and AIADMK. When asked about the direction of the talks with DMDK, a senior Central BJP leader sounded caution saying the party was adopting “a wait and watch strategy”.