Tamil Nadu BJP chief Annamalai, who has been advised to be in rest by doctors owing to his health setback, is showing no sign of stopping his jibes at ADMK, which had been a major partner in the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) until it parted ways recently. The break-up between ADMK and BJP had changed the political landscape in Tamil Nadu ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. 

When the break-up has sparked a slew of political calculations over the alliance, Annamalai has on Thursday vowed about a new alliance which will see the influx of many parties into the BJP alliance though the ADMK broke the ties. Taking a jibe at ADMK, Annamalai sounded as if the Tamiil Nadu's opposition party is not even in a top race between the parties for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.  

Addressing the reporters in Chennai after a party's meeting, Annamalai said that in Tamil Nadu, the fight is between DMK and BJP. In the midst of suffering a health setback and of course a poliitcal setback over the exit of ADMK from the alliance, Annamalai had held a meeting with senior BJP leaders and the district presidents of the BJP. The meeting, that saw the attendance of veteran leaders like Vanathi Srinivasan and Pon Radhakrishnan, was said to have discussed the alliance in Tamil Nadu for the general elections. 

While the ADMK is firm that it won't ally with the BJP, there were efforts to revive the alliance. However, ADMK leader Edappadi Palaniswami appears to give no room for such talks of joining the BJP alliance again. While the BJP central leadership is said to be concerned about the exit of ADMK, Annamalai is charging up his anti-ADMK approach that was seen on Thursday through his remark of snubbing the party.

While speaking to the reporters after the meeting, he was asked about whether the BJP has decided to go solo in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, to which he said, "I will inform about this to the Tamil Nadu people in appropriate time. NDA was established in 1998 and during various points of time, several parties have joined NDA and some have left the alliance. The NDA will send more MPs in 2024 polls from Tamil Nadu for Narendra Modi." 

He further said, "My only motive is to strengthen the BJP and the 2024 Lok Sabha poll will be election to elect Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister for another term. In 2024, all 39 Lok Sabha constituencies in Tamil Nadu will come to Modi's side." When asked about the allegation flouted by the ADMK against him that drove the party to leave the BJP alliance, Annamalai said, "This is not the only allegation as several parties have raised multiple allegations against me. I am doing my job and I am clear about my roadmap. I am also clear about the path in which the BJP should go." 

Responding to a question whether he is challenging ADMK, Annamalai said, "The main challenge is between BJP and DMK. The DMK is ruling Tamil Nadu and the BJP is in power in the centre. The fight is between both of us and I have been reiterating this for the past two years. It is a challenge between DMK and BJP and let's see in the 2024 general elections." Annamalai has also hinted about a new alliance in which more parties will be accommodated.  

He hinted at the possibility of expansion of the NDA in Tamil Nadu. He said, "Any alliance is a work in progress. When the elections get closer, you will see a different formation. We are happy that we have a fantastic relationship with all parties of NDA. We have seven more months and a lot of things will change." Annamalai's remarks about expanding the alliance have come when there have been speculations about whether ADMK leader Edappadi Palaniswami's rivals O Panneerselvam and TTV Dhinakaran would join the BJP alliance ahead of the general elections.