ANI
Tamil Nadu: Former Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP and 15 former Tamil Nadu MLAs made a political shift on Wednesday by joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The move is expected to strengthen the saffron party's presence in the state.
Among the new entrants were ex-legislators from various political backgrounds, including the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), DMK, Congress, and the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK).
#WATCH | Former AIADMK leaders join the BJP in the presence of Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar and Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai, in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/luFuXalMdn
— ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2024
The joining ceremony took place in the presence of Union ministers Rajeev Chandrasekhar and L Murugan, along with Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai.
The BJP state president hailed the occasion as unprecedented in Tamil Nadu politics. He highlighted the diverse political experiences of the newcomers, some of whom had been active in politics for over five decades.
Annamalai said, "Some of them have been in politics for the last 50 years; some were in political parties when they were founded in Tamil Nadu."
மாண்புமிகு பாரதப் பிரதமர் திரு @narendramodi அவர்கள் நல்லாட்சியால் ஈர்க்கப்பட்டு, அவரது கரங்களை வலுப்படுத்த, இன்றைய தினம் டெல்லியில், மத்திய இணை அமைச்சர் திரு @Rajeev_GoI , மத்திய இணை அமைச்சர் திரு @Murugan_MoS, தமிழக பாஜக பாராளுமன்ற தேர்தல் பொறுப்பாளர் திரு @MenonArvindBJP,… pic.twitter.com/M2Gg9nOAQA
— BJP Tamilnadu (@BJP4TamilNadu) February 7, 2024
Furthermore, he said, "Today, they have all come to the headquarters in New Delhi to join the BJP and take the blessings of party president J P Nadda. This is the first time in Tamil Nadu that 16 people at one time have joined the party."
The former AIADMK MLAs who switched allegiance to the BJP included notable figures: K Vadivel from Karur, Challenger Duraisamy from Coimbatore, and Gomathi Srinivasan, a three-time MLA and former minister. From the DMK, former Chidambaram MP V Kulandaivelu and ex-MLA S Gurunathan joined the BJP, along with other prominent leaders from different parties.
மாண்புமிகு பாரதப் பிரதமர் திரு @narendramodi அவர்கள் நல்லாட்சியால் ஈர்க்கப்பட்டு, அவரது கரங்களை வலுப்படுத்த, இன்றைய தினம் டெல்லியில், மத்திய இணை அமைச்சர் திரு @Rajeev_GoI, மத்திய இணை அமைச்சர் திரு @Murugan_MoS, @BJP4TamilNadu பாராளுமன்ற தேர்தல் பொறுப்பாளர் திரு @MenonArvindBJP,… pic.twitter.com/874jx985o7
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) February 7, 2024
After receiving their BJP membership cards from Chandrasekhar, the new members enthusiastically chanted slogans like 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Modiji Zindabad'.
During the event, Annamalai emphasized the significance of the leaders' decision to unite under the BJP banner, citing their collective aim to strengthen PM Modi's leadership.
Addressing inquiries about potential alliances, Annamalai referenced Union Home Minister Amit Shah's recent statement about keeping all options open for collaboration. He reiterated the BJP's commitment to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and PM Modi's leadership while suggesting that discussions with various parties were ongoing.
As political dynamics continue to evolve in Tamil Nadu, the BJP's latest recruitment drive is an effort to expand its footprint in the state and potentially reshape its political landscape ahead of upcoming elections.
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