Talks for poll alliance in Tamil Nadu in progress: BJP

Coimbatore, Jan 29: BJP is taking steps to form a "strong" alliance for the upcoming Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and talks in this regard are in progress, two senior party leaders said here today.

The final decision in the matter would be taken by the central leadership of the party, BJP national Secretary H Raja and state unit chief Tamilisai Sounderarajan separately told reporters here.

The two leaders are here to oversee the arrangements for the February 2 visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the city to address a public meeting and participate in two functions.

Raja said a strong alliance for Assembly polls later this year was in the offing in Tamil Nadu and that the outcome of the election contest would shatter all predictions and surveys.

He said that if voted to power, BJP would give a corruption-free administration and work for the development of the state and its people. Sounderarajan claimed that BJP, after enrolling 50 lakh members in the state, had become strong and no party could form the government without its support.

She further stressed that Modi's public rally would be a turning point in the history of Tamil Nadu politics.

The Modi government is focusing on the development of Tamil Nadu and that was evident in the announcement of the names of Chennai and Coimbatore in the first list for the Smart City project, she said.

Sounderarajan further rejected allegations that there was a political motive behind the selection of the two cities for the project.

A host of BJP leaders, including Union Ministers Prakash Javadekar, in-charge of the poll campaign in the state, Pon Radhakrishnan and party general secretary Muralidhar Rao are camping in the city ahead of the Prime Minister's visit.

PTI