The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has offered 80 seats and the post of the deputy chief minister to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay, according to a report by India Today, citing sources.
The report added that both parties are negotiating a potential alliance for the polls, and negotiations for it are in the final stage. As the speculations are rife, TVK Joint General Secretary CTR Nirmal Kumar has refuted the reports of alliance with the BJP-led NDA, citing an ideological distinction.
While talking to the media, Kumar said, "There is no scope for an alliance with the NDA. We have already made it clear that the BJP is our ideological enemy."
The negotiations, reportedly, are underway to deliberate on whether joining forces with the BJP-led NDA could create a broader opposition front against the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).
Why alliance between BJP-TVK is not an easy deal
It has been reported that a section within TVK is skeptical in joining the NDA. Some of the possible reasons behind this are ideological differences and apprehensions over the future of the party after such an alliance.
Vijay's political debut was projected with his independent image, garnering fanfare, to provide an alternative and going with any established party could hamper that image.
Secondly, TVK resorts to a Dravidian-style politics, akin to DMK. Its core issues, like the abolition of NEET, staunch pro-Tamil standing, make it closer to DMK than BJP, and hence, its alliance with BJP could cause a dent in its voter base.
Lastly, TVK is going to contest its first assembly election. Star power has been decisive in Tamil Nadu, and TVK's politics has resonated with the people. A big political gamble could put the future of party at stake.