BJP rules out alliance with AIADMK, DMK, to go with LS allies

COIMBATORE: Ruling out the possibility of entering into alliance with AIADMK or DMK for Assembly polls in Tamil Nadu next year, BJP today said NDA will go with the same combine, created in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Replying to a question on speculation on alliance with ruling AIADMK in the state, BJP national general secretary Muralidhar Rao told reporters "so far there was no kind of view about this and it is confined to speculation."

"BJP has been saying that alternative rule by DMK and AIADMK had adversely affected the people and also the development of Tamil Nadu and always people felt the need for exploring for an alternative," he said, adding, "We want to become that alternative."

To a question on strategy for the polls and plans to bring in new party to its fold, Rao said, "NDA is there. Entry of any new party will depend on the situation before elections."

"Strengthening BJP and making it a main political party in Tamil Nadu is its ambition and we are working for that," he said.

Meanwhile, talking to reporters on the sidelines of a meeting here to highlight one year of NDA government rule at the Centre, Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan, who was present when AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa was sworn in as Chief Minister yesterday, said BJP would fight the Assembly polls on the plank of bringing total prohibition in the state.

He slammed both DMK and AIADMK governments "for encouraging and establishing liquor outlets" in the state.

Expressing confidence in capturing power, Radhakrishnan said NDA in Tamil Nadu was strong and it will fight the polls with or without announcing a chief ministerial candidate.