It is too early to talk about alliance now: K Annamalai

CHENNAI: State BJP leader K Annamalai on Sunday told media persons that he never said that AIADMK was not part of the alliance. The party's parliamentary board is the supreme authority to talk about alliance. He, however, said the Lok Sabha polls were nine months away and it's too early to talk about it.

"I never made a statement in public that AIADMK was not part of our alliance and they are still with us. But it doesn't mean that the alliance for the Lok Sabha polls in 2024 have a final shape, " said Annamalai on the sideline of a private programme in Chennai. He continued that alliance is like "water" and hinted it was not permanent and it can change anytime.

He further said that talking about alliance was "above my pay grade" and the party's parliamentary board would take a call at an appropriate time.

He, however, said there was no difference of opinion among the senior leaders in the state regarding the alliance. He said this while responding to a question that senior BJP leader and Coimbatore South MLA Vanathi Srinivasan aired her views that state leaders should refrain from speaking about alliance in inappropriate forums.

On Union Minister L Murugan's statement earlier in the day that the party was focusing on nine constituencies in TN ahead of the LS polls, Annamalai said that he was unaware about the minister's context of statement. "There is no point in talking about numbers at this point of time. But we are strong in Tenkasi, Ramanathapuram and Kongu region and working on strengthening the party here. The political dynamic is also changing in the state and the people are also ready for a change, " he said.

On arrest of suspended BJP functionary K Harish in connection with over Rs 2,400 crore scam, Annamalai said that the party was unaware about his involvement in such a scam. On seeing media reports, the party has taken immediate measures. He further said the police should set an example by taking appropriate legal action against such persons, without looking into their political affiliations.

Reiterating on clean politics, Annamalai said that it was a long journey and he was not concerned about temporary setbacks.