BJP-AIADMK alliance in Tamil Nadu to be announced today: Sources
Tamil Nadu will send 39 MPs to Parliament in this year's general election -- a relatively large contingent compared to many other states. In 2014, the AIADMK swept Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu, winning as many as 37 seats.
In Short
- Tamil Nadu gears up for NDA vs UPA battle
- Alliance between BJP-AIADMK would set up clash with DMK
- DMK is part of Congress-led UPA
A pre-poll alliance between the BJP and Tamil Nadu's ruling AIADMK will be announced on Tuesday after BJP chief Amit Shah reaches Chennai, sources said.
The alliance is expected to include the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and Vijayakanth's Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK).
Tamil Nadu will send 39 MPs to Parliament in this year's general election -- a relatively large contingent compared to many other states.
In 2014, the AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) swept Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu, winning as many as 37 seats. The BJP and NDA ally PMK won 1 seat apiece. (The BJP and the AIADMK were not alliance partners then.)
Since the death of J Jayalalithaa, the AIADMK's supremo, the party has suffered infighting and factionalism, and a humiliating loss to rebel leader TTV Dhinakaran in a by-election to Jayalalithaa's former assembly seat: RK Nagar.
The AIADMK faces the difficult task of thwarting a challenge from the main opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party, which is part of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA).
The DMK's supremo, M Karunanidhi, died last year. His son, MK Stalin, has since been appointed party chief.
IN A NUTSHELL: A pre-poll alliance between the BJP and major Tamil Nadu parties, including the ruling AIADMK, will be announced on February 19, sources said.
Inputs from Himanshu Mishra