AIADMK-Left alliance dampens BJP hopes

The pre-poll alliance between the Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK and the Left parties -- CPI and CPI(M) -- seem to have put a damper on the BJP-led NDA's southward march.

The pre-poll alliance between the Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK and the Left parties -- CPI and CPI(M) -- seem to have put a damper on the BJP-led NDA's southward march.

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The saffron party was in talks with AIADMK in its bid to scout for new allies for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

After tasting victory in the assembly elections of Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, and most recently in Karnataka, a buoyant BJP has wooed former NDA allies back into the camp.

Some of the regional parties like AGP and INLD have already responded to the come back call of the NDA after its prospects arguably brightens due to the recent wins.

After an impressive victory in Karnataka this year, the BJP was eyeing regional political parties from the southern states for an electoral alliance for the next Lok Sabha polls.

Some BJP leaders have been trying to persuade AIADMK for the past few months to join the NDA.

Like all regional parties, AIADMK is driven by state politics and since its main rival DMK is with the Congress-led UPA, BJP was hopeful it will join NDA.

However, Jayalalithaa decided that she was better-off with the non-BJP, non-Congress alliance.

Reacting to the AIADMK-Left parties alliance, BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy told PTI, "Lots of political realignments will take place before the polls. But BJP has nothing to worry."

He denied that BJP was trying to win over Jayalalithaa. "There was communication between us and it is still there. But no talks of an alliance," he maintained.