For the first time in the history of Dravidian parties, a large number of political activists cutting across party lines from North India joined AIADMK in the presence of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Thursday.
Functionaries from Congress, Janata Dal (U), NCP, BSP and Akhil Bharathiya Vidyarthi Parishad from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat joined the AIADMK on Thursday, days after Jayalalithaa released an election manifesto for Lok Sabha polls with a pan-India vision.
Prabodh Pandey, former president of Akhil Bharathiya Vidyarthi Parishad who came along with other members told Express that they came to know about the visionary leadership of Jayalalithaa through internet and television.
“We strongly believe that Jayalalithaaji will make a better Prime Minister of the country and hence we joined the party,” he added.
Kuldip from Madhya Pradesh, said he came to meet the AIADMK leader along with his family and hailed the leadership qualities of Jayalalithaa.
Welcoming them aboard, Jayalalithaa said, “I am touched to note that all of you have travelled long distances today to come to Chennai to meet me and join the party in my presence.”
Stating that many of them held various positions in the Congress, Jayalalithaa said the fact that they had come here all the way to Chennai to join the AIADMK reflects the disillusionment they had with that party.
“I am happy to assure you all that we will dispense the darkness brought in to the life of the people by the Congress party and we will witness a new era of glory, light and prosperity in the lives of all Indians. I invite you to all to co-operate and work with me in ensuring peace, prosperity and progress for the entire nation,” the AIADMK supremo said.
P Sasidharan, A Desai, and Nalini Desai along with 70 people from Gujarat; Rakesh Kumar, Uttar Pradesh State General Secretary, Janata Dal (United); Ghanshyam Mishra, Uttar Pradesh State former general secretary JD (U); Yogendra Kumar Pandey, former secretary of NCP’s Uttar Pradesh unit; Bhopal Saini, Secretary, Samajwadi Party, Muzaffarnagar district of UP; Sanjay Saini, Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee Member and Arvindkumar Prajapathi, Student Wing activist of Bahujan Samaj Party, Bareily, UP, along with 70 others, were among those who called on Jayalalithaa.
In addition, Pramodkumar Soni, Bhopal District former general secretary of Congress; Mahanth Lakshmidass, former State President of Gondwana Gantantara Party, Madhya Pradesh; D K Mahore, National Working president, Anna BSNL Union, Madhya Pradesh; and Dr Prabodh Pandey, former President, ABVP, Bhopal along with 61 persons have joined the AIADMK.
Also during the day, all 40 AIADMK candidates for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry individually called on Jayalalithaa and thanked her for fielding them for Lok Sabha elections.
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