On 18th September, D Jayakumar a senior leader of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), announced that there is no alliance with the BJP as of now and a decision in this regard will be taken during the elections. 

“The BJP is not in alliance with AIADMK. We will decide about the alliance during the elections only,” said Jayakumar. Jayakumar added that this is the party's stand and not his personal opinion, and although the BJP wanted an alliance with the AIADMK, K Annamalai (Tamil Nadu BJP president) does not wish the same. 

"We can't accept continuous criticism of our leaders. Annamalai already criticised our leader Jayalalithaa. At that time, we passed a resolution against Annamalai. He should have stopped this. He is criticising Anna, Periyar and the general secretary. No cadre would accept this. Tomorrow we have to work on the field. So without any option, we announced this. There won't be any impact on us with this decision. We are confident of our victory," news agency ANI quoted Jayakumar as saying. 

The squabbling between partners AIADMK and BJP in Tamil Nadu over late Dravidian robust CN Annadurai crested on Monday as the previous prepared its weapons against Annamalai, saying he was simply quick to "advance" himself and was accordingly focusing on late Dravidian stalwarts Annadurai, affectionately tended to as Anna (senior sibling), EV Ramasamy Periyar and late AIADMK veterans MG Ramachandran (MGR) and J Jayalalithaa. 

Responding, the BJP said the Dravidian party “has a problem”, with its growth as well as the growing stature of a young leader like Annamalai. 

The development came days after AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi. 

While Annamalai had made critical remarks about AIADMK leaders including the late J Jayalalithaa in the past, the party had sought that the former be restrained. 

“Should we tolerate all this criticism of our leaders? Why should we carry you? The BJP can't set foot here. Your vote bank is known. You are known because of us,” Jayakumar told reporters while lashing out at the BJP and its state unit president. 

The AIADMK had nothing to lose over the alliance-related development. "They are the losers," he said about the BJP. He repeatedly claimed the BJP and Annamalai will fare badly electorally without the AIADMK. 

Responding to the matter, Amar Prasad Reddy, a close aide of Annamalai, said the AIADMK was unable to stand the growing popularity of the BJP and its state chief and therefore made such an announcement. 

"Annamalai is a principled politician, he cannot bend for corruption or wrong policies. He was only referring to some historical event," regarding Annadurai, Reddy, BJP State President, Sports and Skill Development Cell. 

Image Source: TOI