Jaya toes BJP line on Sethusamudram

In a statement, Jayalalithaa said the Sethusamudram Project be implemented without demolishing the Ram Sethu. She pointed out that in the past, several committees and experts had given four or five alternative schemes to implement the project without demolishing the bridge. “The Centre should explore the possibility of one of the alternative schemes and implement the project without damaging the Ram Sethu,” she said.

Relations have been somewhat strained between the AIADMK and the BJP, with Jayalalithaa ignoring overtures from the latter during the May 2006 Assembly election. The AIADMK-led alliance included the MDMK and some smaller parties. But, the BJP contested on its own and failed to win even a single Assembly seat. While the BJP’s prospects in Tamil Nadu are rather poor, Jayalalithaa might be forced to align with the party for the next Lok Sabha election if only to end her political isolation.

While Jayalalithaa played a key role in forming the Third Front in June, disagreements with major constituent partners saw her issuing a stinging statement on Sunday in which she wondered whether the AIADMK was still part of the UNPA and whether it continued to exist as one entity.

People all over the country were opposed to the demolition of the bridge, she said. “What is the need to demolish the Ram Sethu when the project can be implemented without destroying it?” she asked.