No political tags for Modi meeting with Jaya: BJP

Chennai, Jan 10 (UNI) The BJP today said Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's proposed meeting with AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa had no political significance in terms of revival of an alliance between the two parties.

Addressing a press conference at the party office 'Kamalalayam' here, BJP Tamil Nadu unit Secretary L Ganesan said, ''Mr Modi has only accepted an invitation for lunch extended by Ms Jayalalithaa as they were good friends.'' ''It is too early to decide on alliances. None of the political parties, including the Congress, the DMK, the Left and the AIADMK are thinking of alliances as Parliament elections are far away,'' he observed.

Answering questions, he said, ''I leave it to the imagination of the media whether the scheduled luncheon meeting between Mr Modi and Ms Jayalalithaa would culminate in the revival of an alliance between the BJP and the AIADMK.'' Mr Ganesan said Mr Modi's main engagement was to participate in the anniversary function of popular Tamil weekly 'Tughlak', edited by noted journalist, politician and actor Cho Ramaswamy. Mr Modi would be attending the function at the 'Kamaraj Arangam', along with senior BJP leader Ravishankar Prasad.

Asked about the opposition by a section of the Congressmen to hold the function at Kamaraj Arangam, belonging to the TNCC Trust, he said the auditorium was meant only for public functions. ''Even in Kalaignar Arangam, which belongs to the DMK Trust, marriages are performed in the Hindu traditional manner. So, such places should not be seen in a political way,'' he added.

About the similarities in views between parties like the BJP and the AIADMK on issues like the controversial Ram Sethu, Mr Ganesan said the views of the BJP and a few other parties match on many issues. But, they do not have any immediate political portends.

On the present situation in Sri Lanka, he said India definitely had a role to play in resolving the ethnic issue and especially ensuring the human rights of Tamil people there. India should not supply arms to the Lankan Government as such a move would only harm Tamils as the 'war' with the LTTE was mainly in Tamil areas.

Indirectly criticising the Lankan Government for calling off the ceasefire pact with the LTTE, he alleged that the Lankan Government had gone back on agreements in the past.

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