AIADMK likely to join NDA govt soon

AIADMK likely to join NDA in the coming week. It will give the BJP a solid boost for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

FILE PIC: AFP

New Delhi: The ruling-AIADMK party in Tamil Nadu may join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the coming week, party Sources told ABP News. This could be a significant development for the BJP game plan in strengthening its base in the Southern state. Reports say the BJP leadership is in talks with both factions of the AIADMK – EPS (E Palaniswami) and OPS (O Panneerselvam). AIADMK has 37 MPs in Lok Sabha and 13 in Rajya Sabha. The alliance would help the BJP in its mission to clinch 2019 general polls. Keeping in view these numbers and if the alliance were to happen then it would be smoother for the BJP to clear more bills in both the Houses in the coming future. The alliance will let NDA rule 73% of the Indian population. AIADMK has been in and out of the NDA fold in the past. It joined the NDA alliance in 1998-1999 and then again in 2004-2006. There’s a strong buzz in the political circles of the state about the merger ahead of BJP president Amit Shah’s three-day tour there.  However, it is too early to form an opinion over said GVL Narasimha Rao, BJP spokesperson. “I cannot speculate about it. AIADMK had voted for Presidential and Vice Presidential elections. Various parties have given us support despite joining the NDA,” Rao told ABP News in a telephonic conversation. Congress party spokesperson Akhilesh Pratap Singh said “like what BJP did in the other states, it is expected to continue bribing in other states as well.” AIADMK has 130 seats in the state’s 234-member assembly.