Chances of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance coming alive in Tamil Nadu brightened on Sunday after party emissary Prakash Javadekar held discussions with Vijayakanth, chief of the DMDK for an hour.
Union Minister for Environment and Forest Prakash Javadekar, who is also the party leader in charge of Tamil Nadu, drove down to Vijayakanth's residence on Sunday afternoon accompanied by Tamizhisai Sounderarajan, Tamil Nadu president of the BJP and discussed about modalities of the alliance formation.
"We had a good and meaningful discussion with DMDK chief Vijayakanth. I have to brief the BJP president and Prime Minister about Sunday's discussion. We have decided to meet again on Wednesday. I will come back after the presentation of the Union Budget and we will continue the discussion. A clear picture will emerge by next week," Javadekar told reporters after the discussion with Vijayakanth. But there was no announcement from the DMDK about the meeting with the BJP leaders.
Sources in Tamil Nadu BJP told The Pioneer that Javadekar's mission to Chennai could be termed successful as many miniscule parties like IJK, NJP and IMKMK met him and expressed their desire to be part of NDA in Tamil Nadu. An important event on Sunday was the meeting between popular film actor Saratkumar and Javadekar. Saratkumar declared that his party All India Samathwa Munnetra Katchi would be a partner of the BJP-led NDA. Sarathkumar was an ally of the AIADMK during the 2011 Assembly election and 2014 lok Sabha election.
"The NDA would become a formidable force in Tamil Nadu if Vijayakanth and the PMK too join the alliance. I am hopeful that the PMK would come on board," Saratkumar said after the meeting with Jawadekar.
Interestingly, Sarathkumar was always a supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the public meeting held in early January in connection with the anniversary of the popular Tughlaq magazine, he had described Prime Minister Modi as the chief executive officer of the country who is giving hope to millions of Indians.
