Shah’s Jan 14 visit to focus on seat sharing with AIADMK

Shah is likely to visit superstar Rajinikanth and enquire about his health and will participate in the anniversary function of Tughlaq magazine. The BJP, which is keen on opening account in Tamil Nadu will also get strategic ideas and directions from Amit Shah during his visit. Shah during his last visit to Chennai laid foundation stones for projects worth Rs 67,000 crore and the alliance between the AIADMK and BJP was reassured on the same day by AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam.

“In the backdrop of the BJP not endorsing the CM candidature of Edappadi K Palaniswami, Shah’s visit is likely to precipitate the headlines revolving around the NDA CM candidate. The BJP will also get the views of PMK and DMDK which contested in the NDA alliance,” said a BJP source reiterating that the BJP top leadership is informed about the factional feud between the AIADMK leaders OPS and EPS.

According to BJP insiders, the party is hoping for 60 seats and has identified candidates for 40 seats. The BJP is eyeing maximum seats in Coimbatore, Kanniyakumari and Tirunelveli districts. Names like Vaanathi Srinivasan, Sasikala Pushpa, Khushbu Sundar, KT Raghavan, H Raja, Nainar Nagendran and Annamalai are making rounds in social media as those in 38 probable BJP candidates list. The role of PMK and DMDK which contested in the NDA alliance for the last Lok Sabha polls will also be defined and the leaders of the alliance parties are also likely to meet Shah during his Chennai visit, BJP insiders said.

The objective of the visit is to strengthen the NDA, and this will be run up what was discussed between the BJP leader Shah and the AIADMK leaders last November.

When asked about the BJP’s reluctance in accepting EPS as NDA CM candidate, AIADMK spokesperson V Pughazenthi said that the AIADMK is the largest party in the state and it will head the alliance for the upcoming polls. AIADMK has already announced CM EPS as the official CM nominee of the party for 2021 polls. Those who wish to travel with the AIADMK have no other choice other than accepting the candidature of EPS, Pughazenthi added.