AIADMK ‘calls off’ BJP alliance, may revisit later

AIADMK's alliance with BJP in Tamil Nadu is “off as of today” and a review - if at all -will only happen “closer to elections”, its organising secretary D Jayakumar said in a bitter denouement to days of sparring with the saffron party's state president K Annamalai over his remarks about Dravida Kazhagam founder Periyar E V Ramasamy and other leaders. At a public gathering, Annamalai had said that Annadurai went into hiding in 1956 after his certain remarks on rationalism infuriated Thevar stalwart Muthuramalinga. Subsequently, Annadurai had to apologise to the Thevar stalwart in Madurai, Annamalai added. Annamalai told reporters that BJP will not be subservient to anyone. “Alliance is important. But if you expect us to be slaves, we cannot be so. This is a party of self respect,’’ he said.