As the 2019 Lok Sabha election dates inches closer, the BJP seems to be on a spree of sealing the alliances. After finalising alliances with regional parties in Bihar and Maharashtra, the saffron party today announced the alliance with AIADMK in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. With this, the party has given a clear message that it is working on a strategy to expand its base in southern India. The alliance with the AIADMK and other regional parties in Tamil Nadu is just the first step in that direction. Interestingly, while the opposition parties are yet to decide and finalise the alliances in different states, BJP has taken a lead and has formed alliances.
BJP’s Tamil Nadu in-charge Piyush Goyal reached the Chennai airport in the morning. He was accompanied by BJP’s state in charge Tamilisai Soundararajan and Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan. Later, Piyush Goyal along with Tamil Nadu CM E Palaniswami and his deputy, O Pannerselvam announced the coalition formally in front of the media. Goyal said that the party will contest Lok Sabha and Tamil Nadu by-polls together under the leadership of E palaniswami. (Byte Piyush Goyal)
The seat sharing formula between the two parties was also announced. According to the formula, out of 39 lok sabha seats in Tamil Nadu and 1 in Puducherry, AIADMK will contest 21 Lok Sabha seats while BJP will contest five seats. PMK a party that joined the NDA today was allotted seven seats in the alliance. The parties will also contest the assembly by-polls on 21 seats together. However, the talks are still ongoing to take DMDK, Puthiya Tamilagan and Tamil Mahila Congress on board by offering them some seats.
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