End of AIADMK alliance: BJP faces challenging times, says state chief Annamalai; calls for ‘political change’

SOUTH FIRST VIEW: BJP will try to create the perception of a turf war in TN

‘Need for political change’

In a veiled reference to the AIADMK, Annamalai, addressing party workers during his ‘En Mann, En Makkal’ (My Land, My People) padayatra at Pollachi late on Monday night, he said: “We have seen the need for a political change. This is a challenging time. We need to oppose many.”

He said he was determined to overcome the challenges.

“If I don’t do certain things, then I will lose the trust you have placed in me… we need to face challenges, overcome hurdles, take a stance to oppose some individuals,” he added. In order to ensure this, the party should gear up in this direction, Annamalai said.

Earlier on Monday, the AIADMK — led by Edappadi K Palaniswami, or EPS — ended its seven-year tie-up with the BJP after passing a resolution in a high-level committee meeting.

It stated that the party is no longer in the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The decision comes as a blow to the BJP which is trying to stitch up alliances across the country to counter Opposition parties’ Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc.

Also read: AIADMK cuts ties with BJP ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha elections 

AIADMK to lead separate front

Further, the AIADMK stated that it will lead a separate front for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

The party called for an urgent meeting of its organisational functionaries, including district secretaries, MLAs, and former ministers. Chairing the meeting, Palaniswami, popularly called EPS, spoke about recent incidents of BJP national leaders insulting the party and sought the opinion of the functionaries.

Meanwhile, BJP state secretary Dr Srinivasan told the media that they (BJP) are also happy with the decision of AIADMK.

“We will take on both the DMK and the AIADMK hereafter,” he said.

(With PTI inputs)