BJP open to alliances, cherishes old friends: PM Narendra Modi

In an attempt to strengthen the NDA in Tamil Nadu ahead of Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said Bharatiya Janata Party is open to alliances and cherishes old friends.

"Twenty years ago, visionary leader Atalji brought in a new culture in Indian politics, that of successful coalition politics. He gave utmost importance to regional aspirations...BJP has followed the way Atalji has shown us," he said.

PM Modi was interacting with the booth-level workers from five districts in Tamil Nadu through video-conferencing. During his address, Modi recalled former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his successful coalition politics and said the BJP's doors were "always open". 

When asked whether BJP will forge an alliance with AIADMK, DMK or Rajinikanth, yet to form his political party. "What Atalji did was in direct contrast to the Congress which has never cared for regional aspirations. Congress ill-treated regional political parties, aspirations and people because they felt they alone have the right to be in power," he said.

In 2014, BJP fought the Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu leading a rainbow alliance comprising smaller parties including PMK, DMDK, MDMK of Vaiko and won two of the 39 seats.