Chennai, Jan 23 (BPNS)
The BJP which is trying desperately to enter into Tamil political mainstream is trying for a rapprochement between the Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) faction of the AIADMK and a section close to expelled AIADMK leader, O. Panneerselvam (OPS).
BJP state vice president and former MP, Dr. K.P. Ramalingam have on Sunday said that the EPS faction and OPS faction should go in for a truce so that the AIADMK, and BJP combine is winning the Erode East assembly seat.
While in the open the BJP has not spoken about any rapprochement between the two leaders, behind the scenes senior BJP leaders from Tamil Nadu and at the national level are in direct contact with both leaders.
AIADMK leader and former minister, S.A. Sengottayian who is close to the EPS faction however were cautious in responding to the statement of K.P. Ramalingam. When asked whether EPS and OPS factions would merge, the former minister said, “Wait and watch”.
The AIADMK general secretary and former minister, D. Jayakumar has however said that the OPS faction is the B team of the ruling DMK. Speaking to media persons, he said that if the OPS faction prefers to contest the by-poll, they will get votes less than NOTA and added that they would have to contest as an independent candidate.
However, sources in the BJP told BPNS that the saffron party has been conducting meetings with both factions of the AIADMK and wanted to end the impasse and a rapprochement between the two leaders.
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