BJP cadre crib about working for allies

The party which leads the ruling alliance at the Centre was reduced to nearly nothing in the state when the poll fever began. With most of big allies staging a walkout of the NDA, BJP eventually decided to contest in 180 seats and allocate the remaining 54 to its other allies who chose to stay back such as IJK, India Makkal Kalvi Munnetra Kazhagam (IMKMK) and the Kongu Jananayaga katchi (KJK).

However, as seat-sharing talks began, the smaller parties demanded a large number of seats, which won’t befit their vote share or presence across the State. But left with no option and desperate to retain at least the existing allies, BJP bowed down to their pressure and parted with 73 seats (45 to the IJK, 4 to the KJK and 24 to the IMKMK). 

The imbroglio didn’t end there. Mylapore, the most sought after seat in the party, was finally was allocated to a rank outsider, K Nagarajan, who crossed over from Sarathkumar’s All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi.

Whether BJP cadres will cooperate especially in areas allocated to allies, remains a big question now. “BJP workers will cooperate with its allies,” said a party source. “How can this be possible when there is a clash of ideologies?” demanded another functionary.

Though the BJP would have fared better if it had TMC (indirect talks were held on this) on its side, it would ultimately be an embarrassment as the TMC is a breakaway Congress group and the latter is the BJP’s main opposition at the Centre.