February 12, 2024
3 mins read

BJP, AIADMK slug it out in charged-up poll battle in TN

Anticipating the early announcement of the poll, the ruling DMK has initiated talks with its allies on seat-sharing and is gearing up to bring out its poll manifesto….reports Asian Lite News

Friends turned foes – the BJP and AIADMK – are locked in a rancorous war at times becoming personal targetting BJP state chief K Annamalai, in a charged-up political atmosphere in Tamil Nadu ahead of the Lok Sabha election.

Anticipating the early announcement of the poll, the ruling DMK has initiated talks with its allies on seat-sharing and is gearing up to bring out its poll manifesto.

Though a multi-cornered contest appears imminent, as of now, the political parties barring the DMK and allies are still hazy on alliance.

While former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami sees red at the mention of DMK president and Chief Minister M K Stalin, the loose cannons in his AIADMK devote more time on personally targetting Annamalai and sustain themselves in the limelight.

“Much of their ire is due to the BJP’s preference for former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam as a reliable ally than to AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami,” a senior BJP leader said.

BJP has never been comfortable in the company of ambitious Palaniswami, who in a bid to garner the minorities votes has expressed opposition to the Uniform Civil Code.

The AIADMK General Secretary, who severed poll ties with the BJP in September last year, due to Annamalai’s aggressive politics, is engaged in forming an alliance under his leadership.

Another cause for heartburn for the AIADMK was the shifting of loyalties by 12 of its former legislators and a MP, recently, to the BJP. A former MLA each from the DMK, Congress and DMDK, too joined the BJP.

Ridiculing it, former AIADMK Minister D Jayakumar remarked “the Tamil Nadu Governor will invite Annamalai to form the government with those former MLAs.” Further, he likened the BJP state president to a “mud horse” and said Annamalai was creating an illusion that people were joining the BJP.

“Those who follow him are likely to disappear when the mud horse disintegrates in water,” Jayakumar claimed.

Both the Dravidian majors too have been welcoming a steady trickle of workers from other parties, as it is election time.

Though the Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and the Left parties too have a presence in certain pockets in the state, they toe the DMK’s line.

While the ruling DMK is comfortably placed as its alliance is intact, AIADMK and BJP are vying to form an alliance with smaller parties. Other political parties such as the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) and the Pattali Makkal Katchi are yet to decide on an alliance and the options before them are only a few – either the BJP or AIADMK.

Parties such as actor Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam and actor Seeman-led Naam Tamilar Katchi would also be in the fray.

“Annamalai’s politics of publicity won’t work in Tamil Nadu,” claimed former AIADMK state Minister Kadambur Raju while Jayakumar, training his guns on Panneerselvam, claimed the latter would join the BJP after the Lok Sabha election.

Former AIADMK Minister R B Udayakumar, who appeared to go overboard in his criticism, called Annamalai a “Leghiyam (a traditional thick herbal medicine that boosts immunity) seller and said the BJP president was a political novice.

“Yes, I am Leghiyam trader. I sell the best Leghiyam to banish corruption, rowdyism and anarchy in Tamil Nadu. Those who consume my Leghiyam can see results of a good administration, and good leadership” Annamalai, dismissing Udayakumar as an “invalid currency” retorted while leading his six-month-old En Mann, En Makkal (My Land, My People) yatra, recently.

ALSO READ: Rahul launches fresh attack on RSS, BJP in Jharkhand

Previous Story

Modi, Wickremesinghe, Jugnauth to launch UPI services in Lanka, Mauritius

Next Story

Double engine govt working with double speed, says Modi

Latest from Asia News

‘Kill and Dump’ Haunts Balochistan Again

The latest killings have reignited accusations of extrajudicial executions and the use of counterterrorism laws to cover up custodial deaths in Balochistan….reports Asian Lite News Concerns have deepened across Balochistan following the

‘ASEAN Expands, But Keeps Its Soul’

Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan urged ASEAN to uphold its unity and strategic resolve amid intensifying geopolitical tensions and mounting external pressures…reports Asian Lite News Consensus and inclusivity will remain the cornerstones

Bangladesh bends to beat Trump’s blow

Dhaka seeks compromise as Trump’s 35% tariff looms large over key exports; Washington urges worker protections, factory relocation to US…reports Asian Lite News Bangladesh has opened the second round of critical trade

China seethes as US lands F-35s in PH

As US F-35 jets land in the Philippines for the first time, Manila cements its frontline role in Washington’s power play against rising China….reports Asian Lite News The Philippines is rapidly cementing
Go toTop

Don't Miss

BJP’s need for Kashi and Mathura to stay in power

The Ram temple in Ayodhya is likely to be ready

Moscow eases norms for Indians to open accounts in Russian banks

Indian national tourists or students can reach out to an