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AIADMK-BJP bonhomie grows, TN minister attends RSS event

Anbazhagan inaugurating an event organised by the RSS could have been unimaginable if his party supremo J Jayalalithaa had been alive.

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Minister KP Anbazhagan inaugurating a clean-up drive by RSS in Dharmapuri.
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In a clear indication of growing bonhomie between the AIADMK and the BJP, senior AIADMK leader and Higher Education Minister KP Anbazhagan on Saturday flagged off an event organised by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Dharmapuri district.

Anbazhagan inaugurating an event organised by the RSS could have been unimaginable if his party supremo J Jayalalithaa had been alive. Jayalalithaa's government had continuously denied permission for the RSS to hold route march in Chennai even after it got a direction from the Madras High Court to that effect. But things started to change after her sudden demise on December 5 last year. Rebel AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam, who succeeded her as chief minister, let the RSS take its first route march in the city in 15 years on January 29 this year. Coincidentally, RSS held its national executive committee meeting in the state for the first time at Coimbatore in March this year.

AIADMK spokesperson Avadi Kumar said there was nothing wrong in Minister Anbazhagan inaugurating a mass cleaning activity. "Being a minister he might have inaugurated the initiative of the RSS," he said. When asked about the AIADMK's growing proximity to the BJP, he said that it was not true. "The AIADMK government have a cordial relationship with the BJP government at the Centre. But AIADMK as a party is fighting the BJP politically in the state," he claimed.

However, sources say that Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswamy has advised his cabinet colleagues not to make any critical comments against the Modi government, giving credence to rumours that party would extend its support to BJP's nominee in the ensuing Presidential election.

AIADMK (Amma) faction with its 123 MLAs and 37 MPS in both Houses has total votes of 47,844. The EPS faction's support would help the BJP, which is short of only 20,000 votes, to easily win the Presidential polls. The rebel Panneerselvam-led AIADMK faction has 10,608 votes, considering values of 12 MLAs and 12 MPs on its side.

"Both the factions of AIADMK are very keen to be in the good books of Modi as they face investigation by the central agencies — Income Tax and Enforcement Directorate. It was Panneerselvam who started it and Palaniswami is now playing the same game. Both the factions are likely to vote for a BJP candidate in the Presidential polls," said a senior DMK MP.

Writer and political commentator Arunan said that BJP has been trying to make use of the political vacuum created by the death of Jayalalithaa. "It was BJP that created the rebellion in the ruling AIADMK and it also forced them to hold reunion talks only to abruptly end it. The BJP's immediate agenda will be to get the AIADMK's votes in the Presidential polls. Only after the polls, we will get to know whether the AIADMK government will continue or not," he said.

Analysis

Both the factions of AIAD-MK, it seems, are vying to be in the good books of PM Modi.
One reason that could be attributed for this trend is the leaders facing investigation by the central agencies.  
It’s advantage BJP, though its immediate agenda will be to get the AIADMK’s votes in the Presidential polls. 

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