The alliance formed between AIADMK and BJP will continue for the 2021 Assembly elections, said Chief Minister Edapaddi K Palaniswami and AIADMK coordinator O Paneerselvam in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah at a government function here.

The alliance between the two parties formed for the 2019 parliamentary elections will continue, and the alliance will win the 2021 Assembly elections with more seats, Palaniswami said.

AIADMK coordinator Paneerselvam first said that the alliance with the BJP would continue in future. This was endorsed by Palaniswami immediately in his speech.

Palaniswami heaped a lot of praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for putting India on the global map. He also appreciated Shah for providing strong support to Modi’s various initiatives.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, developed countries have been appreciating the efforts taken by Modi, who has been working tirelessly to curb the spread of the Coronavirus. “We will always support Modi’s initiatives,” he said.

In his speech, Shah said, the Centre will support the government in Tamil Nadu led by Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Paneerselvam. Tamil Nadu is number one State in good governance, he added.

Taking a dig at the dynasty/family politics, Shah said, since PM Modi's arrival in national politics, he has fought to end corruption, nepotism and casteism. “We have been defeating family-based parties in several states, and now it is Tamil Nadu's turn. We will defeat the family-based party in the state as well,” he said indirectly referring to the DMK’s family politics.

“I want to ask the leaders of DMK-Congress - What did you give to the state of Tamil Nadu in your ten years of governance at the Centre? We say it with humility that whatever we are providing to the State is its right - one that was taken away from it for a long time,” Shah said.

When Manmohan Singh gave his last Budget speech, he had made a provision of Rs 16,000-odd crore for Tamil Nadu. “We have doubled that amount to Rs 32,800 crore to Tamil Nadu, apart from all additional projects,” Shah said.

Earlier in the day, Shah, who is on a two-day visit to Chennai, got a rousing reception by hundreds of BJP and AIADMK cadres on arrival at the airport. Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Paneerselvam received him at the airport.

A political expert observed, “I have never seen such a reception for any other Home minister.”

While Shah is in the city to launch various projects worth over Rs 61,000 crore, his visit also assumes political significance with less than six months left for the Assembly elections in the State.

His visit also comes at a time when the BJP’s relations with its friendly ally, the AIADMK, has been under strain in recent times after the ruling party declined permission for the 'Vetrivel Yatra' undertaken by BJP Tamil Nadu.

Shah’s visit is also considered significant after the NDA retained power in Bihar. The BJP wants to put up a significant performance in both Tamil Nadu and West Bengal where Assembly elections will be held next year.

Interestingly, on Friday, Shah tweeted, “Looking forward to being in Tamil Nadu tomorrow. Will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones of various development projects.” He also tweeted a similar message in Tamil.

He also paid tributes to both MGR and Jayalalithaa.

 

 

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