Updated: November 16, 2020 3:39:36 pm
Former Union Minister MK Alagiri. Photo Express by Anil Sharma. 19.03.13
After becoming an actor turned politician Khushbu in his fold, the BJP state unit is working to gain the support of another prominent face, MK Alagiri, the eldest son of the late M Karunanidhi and brother of DMK president MK Stalin.
Before the 2021 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, an alliance with Alagiri can shape a broader political front in the state.
Sources from the BJP state unit and Alagiri camp confirmed that there has been significant progress in the alliance talks. If all goes according to the national party’s plans, Alagiri will likely meet with the Union Interior Minister Amit Shah on November 21, when the latter is scheduled to visit Chennai.
A high-ranking BJP leader said the meeting between Shah and Alagiri is likely to happen on November 21 in Chennai. “It’s likely to be a one-on-one meeting,” said the leader.
Also read: Why cracks are appearing in the DMK-Congress alliance in Tamil Nadu
When contacted, Tamil Nadu BJP chief L Murugan claimed he was not aware of the talks. He told The Indian Express that he would investigate and confirm it (Alagiri’s proposed political party to join the NDA alliance) at a later stage.
While Alagiri was not available for comment, an important source close to him said the BJP has been in contact with them for a while. “The talks have been going on for a long time. It would be a forceful response to MK Stalin (head of DMK and Alagiri’s younger brother) who marked his older brother in the party and the family. And for Alagiri, it’s an opportunity … it may be the last chance. Your business may face more problems if DMK wins the Assembly elections, ”he said.
According to sources, Alagiri’s new political team may be called ‘Kalaignar DMK’ or ‘KDMK’. Alagiri’s son Dayanidhi may also back the new party. “Like Stalin’s son Udayanidhi, who heads the DMK youth wing, let Dayanidhi also assume the same post in KDMK,” said a source.
“If there are no changes to Shah’s planned visit to Chennai, the idea is to announce the new party in Madurai in the presence of some 100-200 close Alagiri collaborators. And Alagiri can meet Shah the next day, ”said a well-known source of Alagiri’s current plans.
While sources on both sides said the plan was unlikely to run into trouble by citing multiple rounds of successful talks, a senior DMK leader hinted that Stalin was aware of developments.
“Let him go to BJP. Alagiri appeared nowhere for six years. It has no constituencies, supporters, or money. It has no impact on Tamil Nadu politics, except in the headlines for a day or two, ”said the DMK leader.
Alagiri’s last prominent appearance was in September 2018, when he hosted a rally in Chennai, 30 days after the death of his father Karunanidhi. He was removed from DMK in 2014 for anti-party activities.
© The Indian Express (P) Ltd
.
