Eye on BJP tie-up,Vaiko reconsiders support to Sethusamudram project

As a constituent of the DMK-led coalition,MDMK was once a vocal supporter of the project. However,opposition to the Congress,which Vaiko holds responsible for the “genocide” of Tamils in Sri Lanka,and the need to remain relevant in a highly-fractured political space have forced him to make adjustments.

The MDMK leader told reporters talks between the BJP leadership and his party were going on and that he would work to ensure defeat of the Congress in the Lok Sabha polls.

“MDMK is fighting for the rights of Tamil Nadu and against corruption. But the priority is to see to it that the Congress that has betrayed Lankan Tamils does not return to power. BJP leaders will not repeat the mistakes of the Congress,” he said.

Vaiko claimed there was a Narendra Modi wave in the country. “He will become the next prime minister.”

With the DMK and AIADMK deciding not to ally with the Congress or the BJP,the national parties are looking elsewhere to put up a decent performance in Tamil Nadu in the coming elections.

In recent years,especially after Pon Radhakrishnan from coastal Kanyakumari became its state president,the BJP has taken a pro-Tamil view in the Lankan crisis and the fishermen issue between India and Sri Lanka,which is often compared with the strategic coldness of the Congress-led central government. The party is talking to smaller outfits on this plank.

Meanwhile,the Congress is also looking for potential partners. High on its list is the principal opposition party DMDK that had a bitter fallout with the ruling AIADMK after the last Assembly elections. Congress leader and Union minister G K Vasan recently met DMDK founder-leader Vijayakanth,leading to speculation of a possible tie-up.

The DMDK is also being wooed by the DMK. The combined vote share of the parties with contributions from smaller outfits would make the front formidable to take on the Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK.