BJP woos Vijayakant's DMDK in TN

Tiruchirapalli, Jan 13 (UNI) Ruling out the possibility of a viable third front at national and state level, BJP Tamil Nadu unit President L Ganesan today extended an invitation to actor-politician Vijayakant's fledgling Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) to forge an alliance with the BJP.

Addressing a press conference here, he said the DMDK was well received by the people as it was seen as a viable alternative to both the DMK and AIADMK. However, Mr Vijayakant would not be able to secure victory on his own. The DMDK's votes would affect the chances of several parties, including the BJP. Hence, instead of attempting to go it alone, Mr Vijayakant could forge alliance with any national party and face the elections, he suggested.

Referring to the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, Mr Ganesan endorsed the view of Sri Lankan Society Uplift Minister Chandrasekaran that the Indian Government's silence would increase the threat to Tamils in the island nation.

He said present indications were that the proscribed Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was weakening day by day, while the Lankan Government dealt with the issue with an iron hand. Under these circumstances, the intervention of the Indian Government was imperative to protect the lives and interests of innocent Tamils, he added.

Refusing to attach any political significance to the lunch which would be hosted by AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa for Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi tomorrow, the BJP leader said ''there would only be eating and no meeting.'' But, they might discuss the present political situation in the country, he added.

Mr Ganesan charged the DMK Government with going soft on extremists, Muslims and others who attacked temples.

To a question, he said the Ram Sethu issue would dominate the coming Lok Sabha elections and the ruling DMK, a key constituent of the United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre, was isolated in the issue.

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