BJP ensures support of MDMK for local body polls

CHENNAI: A day after BJP announced its decision to face the September 18 bypolls to various local bodies, the party today ensured the support of its ally, the Vaiko-led MDMK.

MDMK, along with DMK, had announced its decision to boycott the bypolls, even as BJP had set in motion its preparatory works to contest the elections by forming two panels to elicit views on aspiring candidates.

MDMK's decision to support its lead partner came after a two-member BJP delegation led by its state unit president Tamizhisai Sounderrajan held discussions with Vaiko, the party said in a release.

Vaiko assured his party's support on the basis of being a member of the BJP-led NDA alliance, which was forged for the April 24 Lok Sabha polls, it added.

BJP had yesterday announced that it was holding talks with its allies with regard to facing the by-polls, which is being boycotted by the M Karunanidhi-led DMK even as two other NDA constituents, DMDK and PMK, are yet to make their stands official.