AIADMK Cuts Ties With NDA, Cites Tamil Nadu BJP Leadership's "Unnecessary Remarks" As Reason

In a significant development ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the AIADMK has decided to cut ties with the BJP-led NDA alliance.

This decision was made through a unanimous resolution passed by the party on Monday (25 September).

"The state leadership of the BJP has been continuously making unnecessary remarks about our former leaders, our general secretary EPS, and our cadres for the past one year," K P Munusamy, AIADMK Deputy Coordinator said, announcing the decision.

"AIADMK is breaking all ties with BJP and NDA alliance from today," he said.

A rift had emerged between the two political parties following remarks made by K Annamalai, the Tamil Nadu BJP chief, regarding former Tamil Nadu chief minister and Dravidian icon C N Annadurai.

Annamalai alleged that Annadurai had disparaged Hinduism during a gathering in Madurai over six decades ago.

Moreover, he claimed that Annadurai had been kept hidden in Madurai and was able to flee only after offering an apology.

These remarks deepened the divide between the two political parties.

Writing for Swarajya, K Balakumar wrote less than a week ago: "...truth be told, the AIADMK-BJP partnership is already wearing thin, and it can be argued that the best-case scenario for both the parties is a formal divorce."

"For, the respective parties are at a stage in their political evolution that doesn't allow for carrying external baggage."

He argued that while the AIADMK and the Tamil Nadu BJP were banding together to ensure the anti-DMK votes don't get split, they were losing their personal identity by sticking together and that has been benefiting the DMK anyway.

Also Read: The Best That Can Happen Between AIADMK And Tamil Nadu BJP Is A Split