AIADMK firmly rejects BJP alliance ahead of Lok Sabha elections

Chennai: The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), Tamil Nadu's primary opposition party, has firmly rejected the possibility of forming an alliance with the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Senior AIADMK leader D Jayakumar responded to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement, asserting that the AIADMK had already closed the door on any collaboration with the BJP.

"Amit Shah has said the doors of his party are open for the AIADMK. As regards the stand of our party, the BJP was once a friendly party. Now, it is a party that we oppose out and out," said Jayakumar, the AIADMK's organisation secretary.

In a recent interview, Amit Shah expressed that the BJP's doors were open for an alliance with the AIADMK. However, Jayakumar made it clear that the AIADMK's opposition to the BJP is unwavering, emphasising that the party had officially severed ties with the saffron party. He highlighted the sentiment among AIADMK cadres, citing their celebration and support for the decision to break the alliance last year.

Despite recent criticism from the Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai against AIADMK stalwarts, Jayakumar maintained that there is no possibility of reconsidering their stance against aligning with the BJP. The AIADMK leader affirmed, "We have closed our door on the BJP though they may keep their door open (for the AIADMK). We do not want the BJP to come to us. This is our stand."

The AIADMK's decisive move away from the BJP occurred in September 2023, following alleged criticism by Annamalai against AIADMK icon Jayalalithaa and Dravidian ideologue Annadurai. The party, led by former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, has consistently maintained that there will be no alliance with the BJP in the future.