CHENNAI: THE BJP, which is trying to strengthen its base in Tamil Nadu by various measures, on Saturday roped in former AIADMK minister Nainar Nagenthran who is also a strongman of the party in Tirunelveli district. Besides, former Mayor of Vellore B Karthiyayini and former AIADMK MLA Sreenivasan have also joined the BJP.
The three AIADMK functionaries joined the BJP in the presence of party’s national president Amit Shah in Delhi. Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan, BJP national general secretary Muralidar Rao and BJP State president Tamilisai Soundararajan were present on the occasion. Party sources said Nagenthran and others were scheduled to join the BJP during the visit of Amit Shah scheduled from August 22.
Since it has been postponed, they joined the party on Saturday. Significantly, the AIADMK functionaries’ defection to the BJP took place at a time when all factions of the party have been supporting the BJP on all key issues - particularly, when the factions, led by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, O Panneerselvam who is now Deputy Chief Minister and TTV Dhinakaran announced their support for the NDA candidates for the top posts o f Pre s i d e n t a n d Vice-President. During his visit, Shah was scheduled to meet many OBC leaders in Chennai and Coimbatore keeping an eye on the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and with a view to strengthening the party in the State.