Speculations rife over AIADMK, BJP alliance in Tamil Nadu after J Jayalalithaa's acquittal

Chennai: Former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa's acquittal in the disproportionate assets case has triggered speculation of political realignments in the state. Several Bharatiya Janata Party leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi have rung up Jayalalithaa to congratulate her after she was acquitted in the disproportionate assets case. The BJP's U-turn is also with an eye on seeking the support of the 11 AIADMK MPs in Rajya Sabha to pass crucial bills.

Tamilisai Sounderrajan, BJP Tamil Nadu President, said, "This is political decency. She has been facing case for a longer time. We are committed to our stand and we are very strong in our stand. An alternative force should emerge in Tamil Nadu and that alternative force should be our party."

Aiming to gain a foothold in Tamil Nadu ahead of the 2016 elections, the BJP has been projecting itself as an alternative to the Dravidian parties saying it wanted to provide a corruption-free government. It has postponed plans to bring in union ministers to a rally in the state in May 2015.

Sounderrajan said, "Tamil Nadu is in a fluid state even after this case. There is an unstable situation in Tamil Nadu. Bringing ministers and conducting very big programmes will be difficult for us. On May 26 we are celebrating our anniversary, all ministers are participating in the celebration."

On the developing political equations, writer and political analyst Gnani Sankaran said, "They badly need the AIADMK support in Rajya Sabha and the latter has already extended olive branch by giving support in Rajya Sabha on so many issues. Even on the Land Acquisition Bill, the AIADMK are supporting the government."

Jayalalithaa and Modi's friendship is well-known with both leaders having attended each other's swearing-in ceremony in the past. And while the BJP may brush off the Prime Minister's congratulatory call to Jayalalithaa as political decency, the question is will their friendship blossom into to a political alliance in the run-up to the 2016 assembly elections.