Time not ripe for alliance with BJP: Jayalalithaa

Even as speculations gained strength about the AIADMK distancing itself from the United National Progressive Alliance and cozying up to the BJP,

Even as speculations gained strength about the AIADMK distancing itself from the United National Progressive Alliance and cozying up to the BJP, J Jayalalithaa, in an interview to a private television channel, said 8220;the time was not ripe for an alliance with the BJP8221;.

While the AIADMK agreed with the Sangh Parivar on certain issues, particularly on the opposition to destroying the Ram Sethu, the AIADMK was 8220;in no hurry to forge an alliance with any political party at this time8221;, Jayalalithaa said.

One of the chief architects of the UNPA, Jayalalithaa, however, declined to comment on whether her party was still part of the third front. Parrying further questions on the matter, she said: 8220;I will talk on the subject at the appropriate time.8221; To a persistent query on whether the Left parties, reportedly keen on striking an alliance with the TDP and the Samajwadi Party, were responsible for sidelining the AIADMK, Jayalalithaa said: 8220;At this point of time, I don8217;t want to answer any question. You can draw your own inference.8221;

On Chief Minister M Karunanidhi8217;s charge that the AIADMK along with the BJP and other Hindu outfits were intent on stalling the Sethusamudram project using the Ram Sethu issue, she retorted: 8220;I am not part of Sangh Parivar. The AIADMK has no alliance with the BJP. We are an independent party with our own ideologies and convictions. This accusation is not relevant as far as my party is concerned.8221;

When it was pointed out that she had remained silent and allowed the BJP to take centrestage in the condemnation of Karunanidhi8217;s remarks against Lord Ram, Jayalalithaa said she was one of the first to condemn the statements. 8220;If a common man had made such remarks, by now an FIR would have been filed against him and he would8217;ve been arrested,8221; Jayalalithaa said, reiterating her demand that Karunanidhi should resign or that the Centre should dismiss his 8220;minority8221; Government and drop his ministers from the Union Cabinet.

As to whether she thought snap polls were likely, Jayalalithaa said: 8220;The situation is fluid. We do not know when elections will take place. We do not know whether there will be general elections and simultaneous polls to the Tamil Nadu Assembly.8221; She said the issue of alliance would be discussed at the time of elections.

Reacting to Rahul Gandhi8217;s appointment as Congress General Secretary, Jayalalithaa said it was 8220;an internal matter8221; of the Congress. Nevertheless, she added: 8220;But, what has happened is not surprising. They don8217;t seem to believe in democracy. They believe only in dynastic rule and in the rule of succession.8221;