CHENNAI: The State BJP leaders in a meeting with DMDK leader Vijayakant on December 19 to persuade him to remain in the NDA’s fold were grilled by the actor-turned-politician on the BJP’s soft approach toward the AIADMK.
The actor showed little interest in meeting with the BJP leaders who were made to wait for more than an hour at the DMDK office. Vijayakant finally turned up around 1 pm while the BJP Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan, State BJP president Tamilisai Soundarrajan and general secretary Mohanrajulu had arrived at the DMDK headquarters before 12 noon.
According to party sources, Vijayakant bluntly questioned the frequent meetings between BJP’s Union Ministers with the Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and complained that none of them cared to meet with him.
Vijayakant told the leaders that while the State BJP leaders are requesting DMDK to maintain the alliance, BJP’s Central leaders seem to be leaning towards the AIADMK.
According to a DMDK functionary, Vijayakant cited media reports of BJP getting closer to the AIADMK, he asked why none of the top BJP leaders are denying the reports. Justifying his tilt towards the People’s Welfare Alliance comprising the MDMK, VCK and Left parties, the actor asked why he should remain in the BJP front.
When BJP leaders raised questions about Vijayakant’s positive comments on the People’s Welfare Alliance, the actor had reiterated that he considered the PWA to be a better alliance option. The DMDK leader had sought an open statement from the BJP Central leadership that they would not align with the AIADMK in the forthcoming Assembly elections. Besides, the actor asserted that the BJP should accept him as the leader of the alliance. Vijayakant is the most sought after leader in State politics with the DMK, BJP and PWA inviting him for their alliance. The actor had already shut the doors on the DMK.