BJP’s Efforts to Draw TTV Vijay Closer Appear to Have Faltered Amid Karur Controversy

Chennai, October 5: The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) attempts to bring TTV Dhinakaran-led AMMK chief TTV Vijay closer following the Karur incident appear to have hit a roadblock, according to political analysts.

Sources familiar with the matter suggest that Vijay is reluctant to align with the BJP, despite the party’s early calculations that the Karur controversy could serve as an opportunity to cultivate closer ties. BJP leader Annamalai’s recent remarks, reportedly expressing frustration over the AMMK’s internal strategies, are seen as a reflection of Vijay’s unwillingness to seek support from the party.

The Karur Tragedy and Political Calculations

The Karur campaign rally, which drew a large crowd, ended in tragedy when 41 people lost their lives, sending shockwaves across the state. In the immediate aftermath, the BJP publicly expressed support for Vijay, even as he positioned his party against BJP policies. This gesture, while intended to signal solidarity, created confusion among political observers.

BJP swiftly dispatched its MPs to Karur to assess the situation, and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also visited the site. Meanwhile, AMMK General Secretary Adhav Arjuna traveled to Delhi to meet with key BJP leaders.

BJP’s strategy appeared to anticipate that the Karur incident could serve as an opening to bring Vijay closer. However, sources indicate that Vijay has resisted overtures from the BJP, calculating that a visible alignment could affect electoral outcomes. According to insiders, he has avoided seeking assistance from the BJP from the outset, a stance corroborated through interviews given by Annamalai.

Vijay’s Political Calculus

Immediately after the Karur incident, Annamalai posted messages on social media in support of Vijay and AMMK, framing the tragedy as a failure of the DMK administration rather than any fault of Vijay. BJP leaders had hoped that this would create pressure on the DMK and shift political advantage, but DMK’s responses and daily activities appear to have blunted BJP’s expected gains.

Additionally, reports suggest that Annamalai’s recent public frustration — questioning whether his party officials were simply acting as AMMK’s “marketing agents” — further signals that Vijay is not under BJP influence. As a result, the BJP’s initial plan to integrate AMMK into its alliance appears to have been abandoned, at least temporarily.

Despite these setbacks, political insiders indicate that BJP may still attempt limited outreach to AMMK before December, as legislative assembly elections remain six months away. The party is reportedly shifting its focus to broader electoral strategies while keeping options open for future alliances.