AIADMK Quits NDA Amid Rift Over TN BJP Chief's Remarks, To Lead Separate Front For 2024 LS Polls

The AIADMK has decided to break all ties with the BJP-led NDA after a rift with the party's Tamil Nadu unit over remarks of its president Annamalai. The party said it will contest the Lok Sabha election under a state alliance.

File Photo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, AIADMK's Edappadi K Palaniswami, and other NDA leaders during the meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), in New Delhi, July 18, 2023.

Source : PTI

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) on Monday officially severed its four-year-long ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), announcing its exit from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The party declared its intention to lead an independent front for the forthcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This decision was reached during a pivotal meeting held at the AIADMK headquarters, presided over by party leader Edappadi K Palaniswami.

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.

The AIADMK's move was greeted with jubilation by its cadre, who celebrated outside the party headquarters by setting off fireworks, news agency PTI reported.

In a statement released today, 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."

This decision comes in the wake of a meeting between senior AIADMK leaders and BJP Chief J P Nadda in New Delhi. During the meeting, AIADMK leaders apprised Nadda of the ground situation in Tamil Nadu, citing concerns arising from the assertive political tactics of K Annamalai, the Tamil Nadu BJP chief. AIADMK leaders had requested either an apology from Annamalai for his comments about Dravidian stalwart CN Annadurai or his replacement, as per PTI.

Addressing the media after the meeting, former minister and senior AIADMK leader K P Munusamy revealed that the party had unanimously adopted a resolution to sever ties with the NDA and form an alliance with like-minded parties for the upcoming elections. While the resolution did not single out any individual for the strained relations, it indirectly pointed to Annamalai and criticised the state leadership of the BJP.

In its resolution, the AIADMK accused the BJP's state leadership of intentionally defaming Annadurai, the late party matriarch J Jayalalithaa, and the current chief, Palaniswami. The AIADMK also cited criticism of its policies and belittling of the party's August 20, 2023, Madurai conference by the BJP as factors contributing to the breakdown.

The resolution stated that such derogatory and unwarranted criticism directed at the AIADMK had been ongoing for approximately a year, leading to deep resentment and outrage among the party's members and officials.

The decision to exit the NDA was made after consulting top party officials, district secretaries, and lawmakers during an AIADMK consultative meeting. Munusamy emphasised that the unanimous decision honored the sentiments and aspirations of over two crore AIADMK members, PTI reported.

As AIADMK supporters celebrated the decision with fireworks outside the party headquarters, the official party handle and its supporters took to social media with messages bearing the hashtag #Nandri_Meendum Varatheergal (Thank you please do not come again), seen as a pointed message to the BJP.

Notably, senior AIADMK leader D Jayakumar had previously terminated the alliance with the BJP last week, asserting that he was conveying the party's official stance.

'National Leadership Will Give Timely Response': TN BJP President Annamalai On AIADMK Exiting NDA

When asked about AIADMK's decision, TN BJP chief Annamalai during his 'En Mann En Makkal' yatra in Coimbatore said: "The national leadership will give a timely response."

Earlier this month, senior AIADMK leader D Jayakumar vociferously condemned Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai for his remarks about Chief Minister CN Annadurai. Jayakumar had reiterated his party's staunch commitment to preserving the dignity of their late Chief Minister and warned against any affront.

Speaking to the media, Jayakumar articulated the party's position, saying, "The BJP is not currently in an alliance with AIADMK. Our decision regarding an alliance will be made during the elections. This stance does not represent my personal opinion; it reflects our party's official position. While BJP members desire an alliance with the AIADMK, Annamalai, the TN BJP President, appears to oppose it, continually criticising our leaders. His conduct renders him unsuitable for the role of BJP state president."

Jayakumar further elaborated, "We cannot tolerate the persistent criticism of our esteemed leaders. Annamalai has previously disparaged our leader Jayalalithaa, leading us to pass a resolution against him at the time. He should have ceased such actions. He continues to criticise Anna, Periyar, and our General Secretary. Our cadre cannot accept this continuous denigration. Tomorrow, we must work tirelessly in the field. Hence, with no alternative, we have taken this decision. We are confident that this resolution will not affect our prospects, and we remain resolute in our pursuit of victory."

The AIADMK's decision to chart its course independently for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections underscores the dynamic political landscape in Tamil Nadu and hints at the complex interplay between regional and national parties in the run-up to the polls.

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