CHENNAI: After weeks of conflicting signals on the issue of alliance formation, the BJP on Saturday announced the conclusion of the poll pact with six political parties in Tamil Nadu for the Lok Sabha elections.
At a press conference, BJP election-in-charge for southern States, M Venkaiah Naidu, said the party had entered into an alliance with the Janata Party, actor Sarath Kumar’s Akhila Indhiya Samathuva Makkal Katchi (AISMK), actor Karthik’s Akhila Indhiya Nadulum Makkal Katchi (AINMK), the Janata Dal (United), the Dravida Vizhipunarchi Kazhagam (DVK) and the Bharathiya Forward Bloc.
Naidu said the AISMK would contest in five seats -- Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi (reserved), Namakkal and Tirupur and the AINMK in two seats -- Virudhunagar and Theni. The JD(U) had been allotted Arakkonam and Tiruvallur (reserved) constituencies.
Besides 11 seats the BJP is contesting, the names of which had already been released, the party has decided to contest in one more seat -- Mayiladuthurai -- and party leader Kartikeyan would be its candidate, he added.
The senior BJP leader said that all parties, including Dr Subramanian Swamy’s Janata Party, which had decided not to contest the polls, would face the elections together. They would jointly campaign for the alliance candidates and also work together in the future.
Naidu said the country was facing challenges on every front and there was a need for a determined leadership, a clear-cut policy and a decisive governance, which were lacking at present. While the Congress-led UPA alliance was “withering and dithering,” new parties were joining the NDA and extending support to its prime ministerial candidate, L K Advani.
Accusing the Congress of indulging in personal attacks in a bid to divert the people’s attention from the skyrocketing prices and other ills, he said the BJP’s description of Manmohan Singh as a “weak” Prime Minister was not criticism of his personality or health, but his inability to act independently.
Sarath Kumar said the alliance has been formed to usher in a strong India under a strong prime minister. He presented an ‘action plan report’ to Naidu outlining his party’s plans and policies for the country’s development.
Karthik said the “historic” alliance had been formed keeping the future of the people and the country in mind.
Naidu also released the BJP’s poll songs CD and advertisements. State BJP president La Ganesan, senior party leaders S Thirunavukkarasar and Pon Radhakrishnan, Dr Subramanian Swamy, JD(U) chief Rajashekher, DVK leader P T Kumar and Bharathiya Forward Bloc leader Nagaimugan were present on the occasion.