Parties wary of BJP sway in ‘volatile Tamil Nadu’

Even as the power struggle within ruling AIADMK continues unabated, representatives of other political parties in Tamil Nadu say TN parties should unite to voice concern for several issues ailing the state and thwart the BJP’s attempt to capitalise on the volatile political situation in the state.
Leaders say the Centre is neglecting issues that ail the state like the farmer suicides and the Cauvery water issue, especially at a time when the state government doesn’t seem to be doing enough to press for these demands.Insiders say, with the BJP attempting to capitalise on the unstable political situation in the state, there seems to be a general move among certain political parties in the state towards an alliance with the right-wing party.
Many leaders feel bigger parties of TN, caught up with internal politics have also forgotten to take a strong stand against recent incidents of communal violence across the country — an issue that TN may have to deal with in the future.
VCK general secretary D Ravikumar says the bigger parties are "not strongly condemning communal violence and the politics of hatred" and not fighting hard enough to ensure that the state’s interests are protected. Parties mulling to join hands with the BJP seem reluctant to raise their voices, "as they more concerned about long-term electoral interests."
Ravikumar says his party is more worried about the growing influence of the BJP in the state. He says the AIADMK legislators will stick together eventually as "no one wants an election." "That’s because they know they won’t win when divided."
TMC senior vice-president B S Gnanadesikan says parties should unite to press for demands concerning various issues in the state. "But no political party should use that cause for political gain," he adds.
On the BJP’s attempt to expand its presence in TN, he says party should not try to increase its vote bank "in an unconstitutional manner." "The BJP has majority in Parliament, and is emboldened after its recent victory in UP. They now want to expand their base in other states, but it cannot be done in an unconstitutional way. They have to do it democratically," Gnanadesikan adds.
BJP state president Tamilisai Soundararajan said they are not affected by the allegations and they only want "peaceful economic development for TN".
Referring to the RK Nagar bypoll, which was cancelled, Tamilisai said money was the "major player" in the election campaigns and that there wasn’t a "level-playing field due to corruption".
She said Dravidian parties are attempting to create an "anti-Centre" image, and assured that "there is no chance of communal issues in TN". Pointing to issues such as NEET and the Neduvasal hydrocarbon project, she said the Centre has considered the interests of the people of TN.
Tamilisai however admitted that the BJP faces challenges in the state, with its "deep-rooted Dravidian politics and anti-Hindi feeling".