Indicating a forward movement in the alliance talks between the BJP and DMDK for the Lok Sabha elections, leaders of both parties from the State on Friday met the saffron party’s national president Rajnath Singh in New Delhi.
The DMDK was represented by L K Sudheesh, party founder Vijayakant’s brother-in-law, who is also the youth wing leader. The BJP group comprised State president Pon Radhakrishnan, State secretary Mohanrajulu and national secretary P Muralidhar Rao. “We apprised him of the negotiations held so far and he asked us to carry on further and arrive at a decision,” a senior party leader told Express.
Details of seat sharing, however, would be announced after Vijayakant, who is in Singapore, returns to the city.
Meanwhile, BJP welcomed DMK chief M Karunanidhi’s ‘praise’ of Narendra Modi but ruled out any tie-up with the Dravidian party. “Modi’s hectic election campaign showed that he is a hard worker,” Karunanidhi was quoted as having said in an interview to a daily. The octogenarian had also
described the Gujarat CM as a “personal friend”.
The remarks sparked speculation that the DMK was trying to build bridges with the BJP. However, BJP leaders ruled out the possibility of a tie-up.
“Karunanidhi has not said anything new,” said Pon Radhakrishnan. “The DMK president is an experienced politician like Modi. If he knows that Modi is hardworking, then he should also know that the Gujarat CM is a strict administrator. There is no place for any expectations,” he said, putting to rest speculation of the BJP’s pre- or post-poll alliance with the DMK.