In a strategic move aimed at fortifying its influence in Tamil Nadu in the lead-up to the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP welcomed several leaders from the state, including 15 former MLAs and an ex-MP, in a ceremony held at the party’s headquarters in New Delhi. The majority of these leaders were formerly associated with the AIADMK, a one-time ally of the BJP in Tamil Nadu, reports PTI.

The induction event, attended by Union ministers Rajeev Chandrasekhar and L Murugan, along with state BJP president K Annamalai, witnessed Annamalai expressing enthusiasm about the leaders bringing a wealth of experience to the BJP.

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Welcoming them, Annamalai said that they bring a wealth of experience to the BJP and want to strengthen the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he eyes coming back to power for a third straight term.

With a keen eye on developments in Tamil Nadu, Annamalai hinted at the changing political landscape, taking a veiled dig at both the ruling DMK and the traditional rival AIADMK.

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In a veiled critique of the ruling DMK and its main rival AIADMK, Annamalai mentioned that Tamil Nadu is leaning towards the Bharatiya Janata Party, projecting confidence in the party’s growing influence in the state.

Responding to the inclusion of former MLAs in the BJP, Jayakumar, a former Tamil Nadu Minister and AIADMK leader, countered a statement by Union Minister Amit Shah that the BJP’s doors are always open for the AIADMK. Referring to a report in the Tamil newspaper ‘Daily Thanthi,’ Shah had expressed the BJP’s openness to alliances with all parties, including the AIADMK, for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

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“Union Minister Amit Shah has said their party stand that for alliance their doors are open. But the BJP once was a friendly party. Now politically we are fully opposing the BJP. When their party state President degrades and criticizes our leaders Jayalalithaa, MGR and Anna whom we respect a lot. Even after our condemnation how can we accept that if they continuously do that. Our cadre’s decision is no more alliance with the BJP. When we announced no more alliances with the BJP our cadres celebrated by bursting crackers” Jayakumar said, as ANI reported.

“Our stand is we have shut the door for the BJP for the alliance. They can keep their doors open but our doors are shut. We won’t take a step back” Jayakumar made this remark during an AIADMK discussion on the ‘Election Manifesto’ for the 2024 Parliament Election in Tanjore.