AIADMK not in alliance with BJP: D Jayakumar
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New Delhi: Ahead of the crucial 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader D Jayakumar on Monday clarified that Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) is not in alliance with the Dravidian party in Tamil Nadu and said that any decision on a poll pact will be decided only during the election.
The senior AIADMK leader, lashing out at BJP Tamil Nadu state unit president K Annamalai for his criticism of Dravidian stalwart C N Annadurai, said his party workers will not tolerate any affront to the late chief minister.
He said while Annamalai had made critical remarks about AIADMK leaders including the late J Jayalalithaa, the party had sought that the BJP leader be restrained.
"Annamalai doesn't desire an alliance with AIADMK although BJP workers want it. Should we tolerate all this criticism of our leaders? Why should we carry you? BJP can't set foot here. Your vote bank is known. You are known because of us," the former minister told reporters.
"We can't tolerate anymore (the criticism of leaders). As far as alliance is concerned, it is not there. BJP is not with AIADMK. (the matter) can be decided only during the election. This is our stand," he said.
Asked if this was his personal opinion, Jayakumar said, "Have I ever spoken to you in that capacity? I only talk what the party decides."
With inputs from PTI