Desperate to woo the AIADMK into the NDA fold, the BJP leadership is grabbing at every single pretext to be in touch with its leader J Jayalalithaa.
Senior BJP leader LK Advani on Thursday called up the AIADMK supreme to greet her, the opportunity being her election as the party?s general secretary for the sixth time. But he was not only the leader, several others who called her which included Indian National Lok Dal president Om Prakash Chautala, former deputy speaker of the Rajya Sabha Najma Heptullah and MDMK leader and Jayalalithaa?s ally, Vaiko.
The BJP?s eagerness to get Jayalalithaa on the NDA bandwagon before the Lok Sabha elections arises from the apprehension that she may be whisked away by the UNPA or Third Front, even though the latter has not made much headway. The UNPA leadership in fact, has virtually signalled that BSP chief Mayawati will have a pivotal role, which might make it difficult for the AIADMK to be adjusted alongside.
The AIADMK, on its part, is unlikely to take a clear stand at this juncture, as it does not stand to gain significantly in TN though an alliance with the BJP. The MDMK leader Vaiko, however, has maintained that Jayalalithaa would be deciding soon on alliance partners.