‘BJP cannot set foot here’: AIADMK and BJP cut ties in Tamil Nadu, explained

This put an end to the endless bickering between the AIADMK and the BJP that took place over the past few days. On Monday, D Jayaram said AIADMK cannot tolerate any insult against late Chief Minister Dravidian, stalwart CN Annadurai, fondly addressed as Anna (elder brother), EV Ramasamy Periyar and late AIADMK veterans MG Ramachandran (MGR) and J Jayalalithaa.

Notably, the relationship between the AIADMK and the BJP had been questioned during the series of comments on Sanatan Dharma that started with the comment by DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s son Udhayanidhi Stalin.

Annamalai’s comments on AIADMK leaders

The rift started with Tamil Nadu BJP leader Annamalai’s comments on former chief minister J Jayalalithaa and Annadurai.

Comments about Jayalalithaa:

During an interview, K. Annamalai earlier said that “many Tamil Nadu governments were corrupt and former chief ministers had been convicted by the courts.” passed a condemnation resolution against Annamalai over his comment.

Comments about Annadurai:

Further on September 11, when Annamalai was leading a demonstration against Hindu Religious and Charitable Funds Minister PK Sekar Babu for his participation in the ‘Sanatana Dharma’ eradication conference here, Annamalai had made a comment about Annadurai.

Speaking to reporters in Coimbatore on Sunday, Annamalai asked whether what he had said about Anna was wrong. He claimed that he is in politics to protect Sanatan Dharma and Tamil culture.

He insisted that he was not speaking ill of Anna and had only mentioned an event from the history books and the way Muthuramalinga Thevar had defended Sanatana Dharma.

To substantiate his claim, the BJP leader said, he had copies of news reports published in a leading English daily in the month of June 1956.

The BJP leader said Anna had made a critical remark against the Hindu faith at an event in Madurai in the 1950s and freedom fighter Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar was firmly against it.

BJP’s ambition of seats in Tamil Nadu

While BJP leader Annamalai’s comments sparked a seething tension between AIADMK and BJP, adding to the already strained relationship, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had told the BJP workers in Tamil Nadu to had to aim for more than 25 seats at the next general election.

Why has AIADMK severed ties with BJP?

Senior AIADMK leader D Jayakumar lashed out at Annamalai for his criticism of Annadurai and said his party workers will not tolerate any insult against the late CM.

Though Annamalai had made critical comments about AIADMK leaders, including the late J Jayalalithaa, in the past, the party had tried to rein in the former.

“Annamalai does not want an alliance with AIADMK even though BJP workers do. Should we tolerate all this criticism of our leaders? Why should we carry you? BJP cannot set foot here. Your vote bank is known. You are known because of us,” the former minister told reporters here, taking a swipe at the BJP and the state unit president.

“We cannot tolerate (the leaders’ criticism) anymore. As for the alliance, there isn’t one. BJP is not with AIADMK. (The matter) can only be decided during the elections. This is our position,” he said.

“Our party has his (Annadurai) name. To promote himself, he belittles Periyar. He didn’t back down, even after his conviction. It is against the dharma of the coalition; no AIADMK worker will accept this. Annamalai is unfit to be a leader and so he is. I just want to promote him. What right do you have to talk about Periyar, EPS (Palaniswami), Amma (Jayalalithaa) and MGR. AIADMK workers will never accept this,” Jayakumar added.

The AIADMK had nothing to lose over the alliance-related development. “They are the losers,” he said of the BJP. He repeatedly claimed that the BJP and Annamalai would do poorly electorally without the AIADMK.

Will this have an impact on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections?

Trouble arises in paradise when the saffron party, perpetrators and practitioners of Sanatan Dharma try their luck in the Dravidian state. The issue of so-called ‘Hindi imposition’ also reduces the chances of the BJP gaining control in Tamil Nadu. Losing their Dravidian alliance over loosely thought-out comments could prove potentially fatal for the saffron party in the southern state.

Updated: Sep 18, 2023 6:46 PM IST