Date:15/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/15/stories/2008011551670100.htm

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Modi meets Jayalalithaa

Special Correspondent

Interacts with BJP office-bearers, addresses party workers

— Photo: R. Ragu

COURTESY CALL: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi having a word with AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa, at her residence in Chennai on Monday.

CHENNAI: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and the All India Anna Dravida Munentra Kazhagam general secretary Jayalalithaa met over a two-hour lunch at her residence here on Monday in the backdrop of both parties’ similar stance on many issues. Accompanied by the BJP ‘prabhari’ (in-charge) for Tamil Nadu Ravi Shankar Prasad, Mr. Modi went to the Poes Garden residence of the AIADMK leader at about 1 p.m. Emerging from Ms. Jayalalithaa’s home, Mr. Prasad told journalists that “it was a very extraordinary lunch. She is a generous host.”

Describing the meeting as very friendly, Mr. Prasad, also a former Union Minister, said the AIADMK leader congratulated Mr. Modi on his victory and the meeting discussed the current situation in the country.

To a question whether the Modi-Jayalalithaa meeting would result in the electoral tie-up between the two parties, BJP State president L. Ganesan later said the AIADMK, the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam and the All India Samuthuva Makkal Katchi had expressed similar views on issues, including on the Ramar Sethu, the attack on the BJP State unit’s head office and Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s “anti-Hindu” observations. They were welcome to join hands with the BJP.

Mr. Ganesan said that a few months ago, a brainstorming session of the State unit took place in which it was decided that not only the party’s strength in Lok Sabha should go up in the next Parliamentary elections but also the State’s share in the overall tally should be more. For this purpose, the party should strike an alliance with others. Asked whether Mr Modi addressing the party workers had any special significance, Mr. Ganesan replied that it was a routine meeting and normally, the BJP organised such events when its Chief Ministers visited any other State.

Earlier, the Gujarat Chief Minister interacted with office-bearers of the BJP State unit at the party headquarters in T. Nagar. Briefing reporters, H. Raja, State vice-president, said Mr. Modi explained to the party cadre the reasons behind the party’s success in the recent Gujarat Assembly elections. During the run-up to the elections, he had conducted 27 women’s conferences in 60 days and each conference was attended by one lakh women. Similar meetings were organised for the youth without any regional or caste considerations. During the elections, the women’s turnout went up by three per cent.