Finally, BJP stitches rainbow alliance in Tamil Nadu

After a month of hectic parleys, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tamil Nadu has finally clinched a deal with its “adamant” allies, especially Vijayakanth's DMDK and the Ramadoss-led PMK, which was showing its rigidity by not giving up certain constituncies for the Lok Sabha polls.

The announcement was made by BJP president Rajnath Singh in Chennai after describing the electoral tie-up as a “historic” moment for Tamil Nadu. Accordingly, the BJP will contest eight seats, Vijayakant's DMDK 14, Ramadoss’s PMK eight, Vaiko's Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) seven, Indhiya Jananayaka Katchi (IJK) one and Kongunadu Makkal Desia Katchi (KMDK) one.

Expressing hope that his party and ally partners will win at least 25 seats in Tamil Nadu, Singh said BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi will also campaign in the state. Speaking on the lines of the two major Dravidian parties, including the ruling AIADMK and oppositon DMK led by its chief M Karunanidhi — which have been taking up the emotive fishermen and Sri Lankan Tamils issues as a plank — the BJP leader promised these were also on “top priority” for his party.

“Their (fishermen) release will be our topmost priority as also protecting their livelihood,” he said.Accusing the Congress government at the Centre of being responsible for the travails faced by Sri Lankan Tamils, he said “under the UPA, India was not able to impress Sri Lanka to resolve the Tamil issue. The NDA will work to impress Sri Lanka as it is also in our security interest.”

Earlier, Rajnath Singh managed to convince the PMK to give up the claim on the Salem seat and accommodate the request by the DMDK.