BJP has reservations about aligning with DMK in TN

Bangalore, Sep 12 (UNI) Notwithstanding its efforts to widen NDA's base by roping in more allies into the opposition camp, the BJP seems to have no interest in getting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's DMK in its camp.

Answering queries about the party's views on getting DMK, NDA's erstwhile ally, BJP spokesman Ravishankar Prasad said there was no scope for such a scenario since the DMK was still part of the UPA and the that party and the BJP were diametrically on the opposite sides on the Ram Setu issue. Moreover, the stand taken by Mr Karunanidhi publicly on the same had hurt crores of Hindus across the country and the BJP could not hope to strike an alliance with that party, he added.

Mr Prasad, who is also in charge of the BJP affairs in Tamil Nadu was, however, not forthcoming with a definite answer if the BJP would rope in the AIADMK headed by former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa with whom the party shares views on the Rama Setu issue.

The party has decided in principle to seek alliance with Asom Gana Parishad in Assam, Indian National Lok Dal in Haryana and Rashtriya Lok Dal in Uttar Pradesh and had established dialogue at an informal level. However, the Parliamentary Board, the apex decision making forum of the BJP will take a final decision on the matter, Mr Prasad said.

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