Sources close to J Jayalalithaa, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, on Sunday categorically denied reports appearing in a section of the media that the AIADMK might enter into an alliance with the BJP and would become a partner of the NDA. “It is a totally wrong news. The AIADMK has absolute majority in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. The BJP has no representation in the Assembly. Why we should have an alliance with the BJP which is almost a non-entity in Tamil Nadu,” said a source close to Jayalalithaa.
The source, who did not want to be named, pointed out that Amma (as Jayalalithaa is addressed by the cadre) maintained a cordial relation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “It dates back to decades. Even before Modi became Prime Minister, they were good friends and the camaraderie is continuing. There is nothing more than this,” said the source.
Jayalalithaa may be visiting New Delhi next week to call on Prime Minister as it is customary on the part of the Chief Ministers to visit New Delhi to exchange pleasantries with the top political leadership of the country after getting elected.
“Tamil Nadu Government under Amma’s leadership has always maintained good relations with the Central Government . She is following the principle of the AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran, the former Chief Minister, who made it a point not to fight with New Delhi,” said a political commentator based in Chennai.
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister on Sunday, Jayalalithaa thanked him and the Union Government for granting approval to the extension of the Chennai Metro Rail and to carry out works to the tune of Rs3,770 crore and also for the special allocation of grains for three months to the State. “Perhaps this letter could be the basis on which the news was built. There is no truth in this news. The BJP, which was wiped out in the Assembly election, is of no use to the AIADMK and hence there is no proposal for such a tie-up,” said another AIADMK leader. The leader pointed out that because of the rapport the Chief Minister has with the Union Government, the State stands to benefit financially. “But this should not be taken as tie-up and that too when the next major election is three years away. Those who speak of the AIADMK-BJP tie up do not know the ground reality in Tamil Nadu,” said the leader.