Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has said that the real strength of the NDA coalition was the Shiv Sena and Akali Dal. Reacting to AIADMK's decision to sever ties with the BJP, Raut said that more parties will break up with the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. He said this NDA is "very weak". He said that the BJP will lose before the general elections next year.
"When we formed INDIA alliance that is when they remembered NDA... Till then it was 'Modi akele kafi hai'... But the moment INDIA alliance was formed, (PM) Modi was not enough alone, they needed more support... Jis NDA mai Shiv Sena aur Akali Dal nahi hai wo NDA nahi hai... Shiv Sena and Akali Dal were the real strength of NDA... This NDA is very weak. Not just AIADMK, but more parties will break ties with the BJP.... 2024 se pehle BJP bhi doobegi..." Raut said.
On Monday, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) officially ended its four-year-long ties with the BJP, announcing its exit from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The party declared its intention to lead an independent front for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
This decision comes amid ongoing friction with the Tamil Nadu BJP leadership as AIADMK accused state BJP President Annamalai of "insulting" late chief ministers CN Annadurai and Jayalalithaa. Party cadres greeted the move and celebrated outside the party headquarters by setting off fireworks, news agency PTI reported.
In a statement, the AIADMK conveyed the reasons for this decision, stating, "We are breaking our alliance with BJP and NDA as TN BJP leadership is continuously, purposefully defaming AIADMK and its leaders Aringar Anna and J Jayalalithaa. We will form a new alliance and face upcoming Parliamentary elections."
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