No act now, will decide before polls: AIADMK to BJP

New Delhi: Simmering anger in AIADMK over Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai's contentious statements boiled over on Monday when Jayalalithaa's party declared that it did not have an alliance with BJP and poll tie-ups would be decided only before elections. BJP insiders downplayed the remarks and said everything would be sorted out.

Lashing out at Annamalai for his criticism of Dravidian politics veteran CN Annadurai, senior AIADMK leader D Jayakumar said party workers would not tolerate an affront on the late chief minister. Jayakumar alleged that Annamalai continuously made offensive remarks about AIADMK leaders, including the late J Jayalalithaa, and asked the central leadership to rein him in.

"Annamalai doesn't desire an alliance with AIADMK although BJP workers want it. Should we tolerate criticism of our leaders? Why should we carry you? BJP is unable to set foot here. Your vote bank is known. You are known because of us," the former minister told reporters in Chennai. When asked if it was his personal opinion, Jayakumar said, "have I ever spoken to you in such a capacity? I only talk what the party decides. We can't tolerate anymore. As far as alliance is concerned, it is not there. BJP is not with AIADMK. Can be decided only during elections. This is our stand," he said.


TN BJP leaders have been trying to come out of the shadow of AIADMK and capitalise on the factionalism within the party after the demise of Jayalalithaa. BJP has negligible presence in Tamil Nadu, which has been dominated by Dravidian parties DMK and AIADMK since 1967. AIADMK is the second party after MNF which has recently found it difficult to stay in NDA. Mizoram's ruling MNF had not supported NDA during the no-confidence motion.