Substantial grist was added to the political speculation mill when DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi praised BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, though party leaders said not much should be read into it.
Tamil newspaper Dinamalar quoted 89-year-old Karunanidhi saying Modi was a "proven administrator, hard worker and my good friend".
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"My personal opinion is Narendra Modi is a good person and has taken care of the development of his state. He has proved his capabilities as an administrator in Gujarat where the people have elected him repeatedly," Karunanidhi told the newspaper.
The remarks, which came after the DMK has distanced itself from the Congress, created a buzz at a time when political parties are entering into alliances ahead of the general elections due in May.
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A DMK spokesperson did not find anything unusual in his leader's utterances, saying the party was opposed to the BJP on political issues only. However, some reports suggest the two parties are exploring the possibility of an alliance.
The DMK and BJP were in a coalition the Centre once, which has raised Congress' worries.
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But a senior DMK leader said on the condition of anonymity that "the party was strong enough to win elections on our own with our present allies".
"It is a fact that national parties are scouting for allies among regional political formations and not the other way round," he said.
Asked how his party would position itself post elections, Karunanidhi said, "I cannot speculate and tell what would be the situation after the Lok Sabha election."
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But a senior DMK leader said on the condition of anonymity that "the party was strong enough to win elections on our own with our present allies".
"It is a fact that national parties are scouting for allies among regional political formations and not the other way round," he said.
Asked how his party would position itself post elections, Karunanidhi said, "I cannot speculate and tell what would be the situation after the Lok Sabha election."
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