Strains between the AIADMK and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seem to have reached a flashpoint as AIADMK senior leader D Jayakumar said on Monday that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is no longer in an alliance with the party.

Addressing reporters in Chennai, Jayakumar said Tamil Nadu BJP chief Annamalai was “a little fox howling at the AIADMK, a gang of lions”.

The remarks come in the wake of a fresh row between the two parties over Annamalai’s remarks on former chief minister and Dravidian stalwart C N Annadurai alias Arignar Anna which did not go down well with AIADMK leaders.

Also Read: Tamil Nadu: AIADMK passes resolution condemning BJP chief Annamalai for remark on Jayalalithaa

Jayakumar said that despite warnings, Annamalai continued to disrespect AIADMK leaders. “If he has guts, let him contest alone, he will not get more votes than NOTA. What qualifications do you have to talk about leaders like Periyar, MGR, Amma or our leader (Edappadi K Palaniswami)? Despite several warnings to stop passing comments, he did not listen and our cadres will no longer remain silent,” he was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.

The AIADMK leader added that the party will issue a strong rebuttal to Annamalai for every word he speaks against their leaders. He claimed that despite requests to NDA leaders in Delhi to instruct Annamalai not to speak ill about alliance partners, he has not changed.

Jayakumar sought to know how AIADMK cadres will work jointly with the BJP for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls if Annamalai continues his ways, PTI reported.

Also Read: Don’t lecture us on democracy: BJP’s Annamalai slams MK Stalin

“BJP cadres want AIADMK to be part of the alliance, but Annamalai does not want that. Why do we have to tolerate the remarks against our leaders? You (BJP) need to piggyback on some party (for votes), you do not have anything here. The BJP cannot set foot here. As of now, the BJP is not in alliance with the AIADMK. We will decide everything during the polls and this is the party’s stand,” Jayakumar underlined.

Last week, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah amid speculation that the two parties will continue their tie-up for the 2024 polls.

Recently, during a protest against Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Endowments Minister P K Sekar Babu over his participation in a conference against Sanatana Dharma in Chennai, Annamalai mentioned an incident that he claimed had happened in the 1950s.

Also Read: ‘What’s wrong with it?’ Tamil Nadu BJP chief on Rajinikanth touching Yogi Adityanath’s feet

The BJP leader said that back then Annadurai criticised the Hindu faith but it was staunchly opposed by freedom fighter Pasumpon Muthuramalingam Thevar. Following the opposition, Anna – as Annadurai was known – apologised for his remarks, he said.

AIADMK leaders, however, did not take kindly to Annamalai’s comments.

Pointing out that the BJP chief had once faced public wrath for his remarks on AIADMK supremo and former chief minister J Jayalalithaa, AIADMK leader D Jayakumar said he should stop passing lewd remarks about late leaders. Jayakumar said Annamalai was talking about things “which never happened” and urged him to tender an apology or be ready to get a befitting reply.