BJP leader H Raja meets Alagiri

A day after MDMK leader Vaiko met suspended DMK leader M K Alagiri seeking his support in the Lok Sabha election from Tamil Nadu, state BJP leader H Raja today called on the Madurai strongman.

Raja, who is contesting the Sivaganga Lok Sabha seat, met Alagiri at his residence.

Alagiri, who is upset with the DMK after his suspension from the party and denial of ticket to him and two of his loyalist sitting MPs, had met BJP Chief Rajnath Singh last month in Delhi.

DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi's son Alagiri, besides embarrassing his party by calling on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had even praised the saffron party Prime Minister candidate Narendra Modi and supported him for the top post.

Raja told newsmen that he only wanted to thank Alagiri for welcoming Modi as Prime Minister candidate and sought his support for the forthcoming elections in Sivaganga constituency.

Karti Chidambaram, son of Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram, is making his electoral debut and making all out effort to retain the seat held by his father for seven terms.

Raja said Alagiri has assured him that he would consider extending support. "I hope he will take a good decision", he said.

Asked why he chose to meet Alagiri, Raja said he was an important man in south Tamil Nadu and naturally "I have to seek his help".