CHENNAI: AIADMK officially ends alliance with BJP. The decision was taken at the end of today's meeting at the party headquarters in Tamil Nadu. The decision comes after Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai made controversial comments about former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister CN Annadurai.

AIADMK Deputy General Secretary KP Munuswamy officially announced the decision to leave the BJP alliance after the resolution was unanimously passed in a meeting attended by MPs, MLAs and district heads. It was clarified in the resolution that the decision was taken respecting the sentiments of the workers and that a new front will be formed and contested. Following the announcement, AIADMK workers staged a jubilant demonstration in front of the party headquarters.

The controversial remark made by Annamalai during the protest against Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department Minister PK Shekhar on the reference to Sanatana Dharma is what worsened the relationship between the two parties. Annamalai said that Annadurai had spoken against the Hindu faith in a public meeting in Madurai in 1956 and freedom fighter Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar had strongly opposed it. AIADMK leaders including former ministers came out strongly against the remark. Senior AIADMK leader D Jayakumar later informed that there is no alliance with BJP and will think about it during the elections.