Chennai: Close on the heels of DMK working president M K Stalin visiting the BJP headquarters Kamalalayam in the city and offering floral tributes to the ashes of former prime minister A B Vajapyee, the DMK has sprung a surprise by inviting BJP national president Amit Shah to attend its public memorial meeting for M Karunanidhi 30 August.
With just months left for Lok Sabha elections, this has raised a lot of eyebrows among political observers.
Pointing to recent political developments, especially after the demise of DMK patriarch Karunanidhi, they say things are not that cold between the two parties, which were in the ruling alliance in the Centre between 1999-2004.
Several BJP leaders called on the former chief minister when he was in hospital, and after his death, the party’s State unit president, Tamilisai Soundararajan, said, ‘Space should be given to bury such a great leader in Marina,’ when reporters asked her about the Tamilnadu government denying permission to bury Karunanidhi’s mortal remains near Anna memorial.
Raveendran, a political analyst, says, “The DMK and BJP are ideologically different. But they have stayed together in an alliance in the past. What is surprising is that when the BJP was not invited for Karunanidhi’s birthday celebrations in June last year, the DMK has now invited Amit Shah to attend the memorial meeting for Karunanidhi. No one is untouchable in politics.”
He adds, “Lately, there have been signs that things are not all right between the BJP and AIADMK. First, there was EPS’ opposition to NEET, then AIADMK MPs criticised the NDA government in Parliament during the debate on the no-confidence motion although they eventually voted against it.”
Even a few in the DMK were caught unawares by the recent developments. They say, “We thought either Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman or Pon Radhakrishnan would be asked to attend (Karunanidhi memorial event). But Amit Shah himself confirming his participation leads to a lot of speculation. Though senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad would be there at the meet, since their party chief Rahul Gandhi is out of the country, we think all eyes would be on Amit Shah.”
However, a few others said, “It is just an occasion to show our strength. We have invited leaders of all political parties across the country.”
Speaking to News Today, senior BJP leader Chakravarthy says, “The political culture is changing in the State after the demise of two big leaders (Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi). Even AIADMK executive council meeting saw their leaders paying tributes to Karunanidhi. It is a positive sign.”
As far as alliance is concerned, “The BJP is open to any party that comes to us with a vision that Modi should remain Prime Minister for another term and carry on his good work. The nation is seeing tremendous development in all spheres under his leadership. For the welfare of the State, I am confident that many parties would wish to align with us. Nobody knows what is going to happen tomorrow.”
Sources also say DMK working president Stalin would attend a memorial meet for Vajpayee.