AIADMK keeping away BJP over fear of losing minority votes?

The AIADMK tactic may be because of fear of losing the votes of minorities in the four constituencies — which were one of the party’s core vote bank in western and southern districts.
For representational purposes (File Photo |EPS)
For representational purposes (File Photo |EPS)

CHENNAI: The ruling AIADMK which is desperate to win at least 10 seats in the Assembly bypolls to retain  power, appears to have decided to distance itself from its ally BJP during the by-election campaign in four Assembly constituencies – Sulur, Tirupparankudram, Ottapidaram and Aravakuruchi. The bypolls are slated for May 19.

The AIADMK tactic may be because of fear of losing the votes of minorities in the four constituencies — which were one of the party’s core vote bank in western and southern districts. It is pointed out that Muslim and Christian voters account for 10 to 15 per cent of total voters in the four constituencies whose votes may tilt the scale in the bypolls. 

Given that the party is facing bye-polls in the absence of J Jayalalithaa who enjoyed support among the people cutting across religious and caste lines, a section of party leaders want the party to keep the BJP away during the bye-poll campaign.The intensive campaign allying with BJP  by the party is likely to have cost it heavily in the Lok Sabha and Assembly bypolls that were held on April 18, said party insiders. The AIADMK also wants to avoid the wrath of voters owing to anti-incumbency mood against the BJP-led Union government. 

“The BJP wanted the campaign to be carried out projecting its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi as it was Lok Sabha polls. Since the four bypolls are fought on State issues some of us wanted to avoid BJP during the campaign,” said an AIADMK leader on condition of anonymity.  

Incidentally, during AIADMK campaigns in which Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and  Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and other ministers took part, its key ally BJP leaders did not participate. On the contrary, leaders of alliance parties participated during the campaign by DMK.

However, both party leaders denied any such speculation and claimed BJP will continue to remain AIADMK’s close ally even during bye-polls. AIADMK spokesperson Vaigai Selvan said the final list of contestants in the four Assembly constituencies was released only on Thursday and BJP leaders will campaign for AIADMK candidates in the coming days. “The minority support base of our party remains strong and we have no fear of losing it due to our allegiance to BJP,” he said.

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Coimbatore: Opposition parties are working against the ruling government and the public, 
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