Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai claimed on Sunday that the party spearheads the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) across India and that there is an alliance in the state as well, after the party's split from the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), news agency ANI reported. Annamalai stated that elections are'very far away' and that top leaders are waiting in Delhi to make a decision.
"My Delhi visit is a very routine visit. I keep going after every yatra. I have to brief my senior leadership on what the Yatra is happening, especially in phase 2. There are many senior leaders who are supposed to participate in the yatra. I have to go and get their dates also,” Annamalai was quoted by ANI in its report.
“Elections are very far away. There are senior leaders sitting in Delhi who will take a call... There is no need to comment when we have positive things to do. The NDA alliance is formed by the BJP, there is an NDA alliance in Tamil Nadu. BJP heads the NDA alliance in India. Of course, there is an NDA alliance in Tamil Nadu," he said.
On September 28, AIADMK deputy general secretary KP Munusamy stated that the party will form an alliance and run in the state's 2024 Lok Sabha and 2026 Assembly elections.
The AIADMK passed a "unanimous" resolution severing the coalition with the National Democratic coalition (NDA) led by the BJP at a meeting of its office-bearers on Monday.
The party accused the BJP's Tamil Nadu leadership of demeaning the party by making remarks against its symbols, former Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers C Annadurai and J Jayalalithaa, in the resolution.
"AIADMK will face the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and 2026 Assembly elections by forming its own alliance," AIADMK deputy general secretary KP Munusamy said in Krishnagiri.
Despite the party's decision to end the partnership, the BJP Central leadership has not abandoned its friendship with the AIADMK.
Speaking with ANI, BJP leader CT Ravi stated: “Eight months are left and what will happen in these months, we can't say anything today. To make the party strong is the duty of every worker. Under the leadership of K Annamalai a great work of strengthening the party is being done."
The BJP and AIADMK clashed after Tamil Nadu BJP state president K Annamalai made comments about former Tamil Nadu chief minister C Annadurai and former CM J Jayalalithaa. On September 25, the AIADMK declared its break with the NDA, blaming the BJP's state leadership of failing to respect its senior leaders.