Subramanian Swamy calls on DMDK chief Vijayakanth, surprises TN BJP

Taking his party's Tamil Nadu unit by surprise, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Saturday called on DMDK chief Vijayakanth here, a visit described as a "courtesy call" by the main opposition party.

Swamy called on Vijayakanth at the DMDK head office at Koyambedu here with long time associate V S Chandralekha, who is also a functionary of 'Virat Hindustan Sangam' that he launched recently. The 40 minute meeting between the two leaders was described by DMDK as a courtesy call. DMDK senior leader L K Sudheesh was also present during the meeting.

Sources said Swamy discussed the state's "political scenario in general and other issues of mutual interest." After the meeting, Swamy told reporters that "Both AIADMK and DMK are not needed and people expect a third force (to emerge)." In a post on Twitter, he said, "Today I had a meeting with Vijaykanth in Chennai. He looks healthy and slim. He is nationalist minded. Agrees to learning Hindi in TN!"

The visit has taken the BJP's Tamil Nadu unit completely by surprise. It comes against the backdrop of DMDK being wooed by parties, including DMK, for an electoral alliance for next year's assembly elections. An ally of the BJP till recently, Vijayakanth had recently had said that DMDK had no alliance with any other party. "We are not aware...we were not told...we do not know anything about this meeting of Dr Swamy with DMDK chief Vijayakanth," BJP Tamil Nadu president Tamilisai Soundararajan told PTI.