Tamil Nadu BJP office-bearers to meet on October 3

CHENNAI: Days after the AIADMK walked out of the NDA alliance, the BJP state unit has convened a meeting of state office-bearers, district presidents and zonal in-charge, besides its core committee to discuss the 'prevailing situation' and strengthening organisational structure for the upcoming LS polls. The party is also engaged in dialogues with 'friendly partners' dismayed by the sudden developments in the alliance.
The BJP national leadership, even while issuing a gag order to functionaries not to speak on alliance matters in public, seems to be still assessing the situation. The meeting on October 3, would discuss the situation arising out of the AIADMK quitting and take stock of strengthening of booth committees. "Only the high command is vested with powers to form an alliance and the state unit has no role. The NDA leadership has still not endorsed or even publicly acknowledged the exit of the AIADMK. The leaders are still talking to the AIADMK. We are optimistic that the 'small misunderstanding' could be sorted out soon," said a senior BJP leader, seeking anonymity. Hours after the AIADMK-BJP break-up, senior BJP functionaries withdrew their social media posts against the principal Dravidian party.
In Coimbatore, BJP senior leader Vanathi Srinivasan commented recently that alliance partners were expressing their views to the BJP national leadership directly. The allies had no 'difference of opinion' on PM Narendra Modi securing a third consecutive term. "The national leadership will guide the state unit in bringing in more parties to the coalition," she said. The AIADMK leaders, however, maintained that the decision to call off the alliance was irreversible.