From strained relationship to breakup: Longtime allies AIADMK-BJP splits

The long-standing alliance between the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has come to an unexpected end, delivering a severe setback to the BJP’s ambitions in Tamil Nadu. The announcement was made on Monday, 25 September, just months before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. This has complicated the political landscape of the state, where the BJP has been striving to establish a foothold.

While the “strained relationship” between the AIADMK and the BJP had been a topic of speculation for some time, the amicable bond shared between AIADMK leaders and the central BJP leadership had led many to underestimate the likelihood of a rupture. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and president of the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), MK Stalin, as recently as Sunday, 24 September, voiced skepticism, alleging that the AIADMK and the state’s BJP unit were merely “pretending to fight” and remained on “friendly terms.”

However, the tipping point in this unraveling alliance occurred when Tamil Nadu BJP Chief, Annamalai, made controversial statements, accusing the late Chief Minister CN Annadurai of insulting Hinduism during an event in Madurai dating back to 1956. Reacting to this provocation, the AIADMK demanded an apology from BJP Chief Annamalai for his comments about the former Chief Minister CN Annadurai, a request that is yet to receive a response.

AIADMK leaders further asserted that BJP State President Annamalai had transgressed the bounds of “alliance dharma,” vehemently criticizing him for his remarks concerning Annadurai and Periyar.

In response to these developments, the AIADMK released an official statement today, proclaiming that the party had unanimously adopted a resolution to sever ties with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), citing the BJP’s “systematic defamation” of their party.

D Jayakumar, the Organization Secretary of the AIADMK, reinforced the party’s stance, declaring, “Annamalai doesn’t desire an alliance with AIADMK, although BJP workers want it. Should we tolerate all this criticism of our leaders? Why should we carry you? BJP can’t establish itself here. Your vote bank is known. You are known because of us.”

KP Munusamy, a prominent AIADMK leader, disclosed that the party had unanimously approved the resolution to part ways with the NDA and pursue a coalition with like-minded parties for the forthcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Munusamy emphasized that this decision was a tribute to the sentiments and aspirations of over 2 crore party workers.

Sasirekha, the spokesperson for the AIADMK, expressed joy over the termination of the alliance with the BJP, characterizing it as the “happiest moment” for the AIADMK.

Meanwhile, Annamalai, the Tamil Nadu BJP Chief, conveyed that the party’s central leadership would provide a “timely response” to the AIADMK’s decision to withdraw from the National Democratic Alliance.