Minutes after it became clear that the BJP-AIADMK alliance had been completely routed in Tamil Nadu, former Union minister S.Thirunavukkarasar gave vent to all the frustrations and misgivings that he had kept bottled up during the campaign. They were directed at a single target: Jayalalithaa. A former AIADMK minister, who joined BJP two years ago, Thirunavukkarasar, who was smarting under Jayalalithaa’s firm refusal to let him contest from Pudukottai constituency, had promised to speak out after the results were out. And for him, Thursday was the time to hit back. ‘‘Her arrogance, non-cooperation (with the alliance partner) and non-acceptance of support offered by actor Rajnikant, is responsible for this rout,’’ he told The Indian Express.The anti-incumbency factor against Jayalalithaa had eaten away Vajpayee’s vote base, he insisted. ‘‘The loss in all 40 seats (in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry) reflects people’s anger against Jayalalithaa’s regime.’’‘‘The manner in which she interfered in the internal affairs of the alliance partner and even dictated who it should and should not field had spoiled the mood of the BJP cadre. This sort of autocratic behaviour is unheard of in any democracy in the world,’’ he said.While DMK leader M.Karunanidhi generously accommodated even minor allies, jaya ‘‘showed no respect’’ for her ally, he charged. Had the BJP gone it alone in Tamil Nadu, it would have bagged one or two seats. And had it allied with the DMK, it would have picked up a majority of seats, according to him.
