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Confident BJP looks for more comfort from BJD, AIADMK


These leaders on their return from Ahmedabad are expected to have a meeting with the leadership of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) on Thursday. Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat and his deputy Bhaiyaji Joshi will be in the Capital on that day.    

According to well-placed sources, the leaders discussed different post-poll scenarios and planned strategies to address them accordingly. There was a general feeling that even in the case of getting majority on its own, efforts should be made to win over its former allies back to the National Democratic Alliance for smooth functioning of parliament. It also had a preliminary discussion on what could be the shape of the next cabinet if the party gets absolute or ‘good majority’.

A party insider said, ‘Good majority means we fall short in securing the magic figure marginally. It was discussed if we have an alliance then what would be the price of accommodation for that ally. We are open to all parties for an alliance.’ On the context of whether party veteran LK Advani will be a part of cabinet or not, he said, ‘This is not for first time that we had a meeting over Advaniji on the same issue. Talks are going on and it is expected that Advaniji himself will opt out from the race of being in the cabinet.’ There is speculation that he will be made the chairperson of the National Advisory Committee (NAC).
Meanwhile, when asked about the possible alliances, Gadkari said, ‘Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa is expected to extend conditional support. We are also hopeful to get support from BJD and YSR chief Jagan Reddy.’ ‘It is very likely that Jayalalithaa will give her conditional support to us on the issue of Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal (CWDT),’ he added.

Talks of Tamil Nadu chief minister extending support to NDA spread after former AIADMK MP K Malaisamy claimed that Modi is great friend of Jayalalithaa despite their political differences. ‘If Modi will become the PM then Madam (Jayalalithaa) would like close ties,’ he said.

Even Modi is trying hard reaching out to AIADMK, BJD and Jagan for an alliance On Wednesday Jayalalithaa had a crucial meeting with the party leaders to discuss on alliance with the BJP.
Speaking to the reporters, BJD chief and Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik without ruling out possible support to BJP, said, ‘We are not in talks with NDA, have not decided to support NDA as we have not discussed it yet.’ 

Earlier, on 14 April, Jayalalithaa had slammed the BJP and the Congress for not taking steps to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. In 1999, she pulled out of the BJP-led government at the Centre for its ineffectiveness in constituting the Cauvery water authority with the prime minister as its head and the chief ministers of four riparian states as members to implement the interim order of CWDT.
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