BJP sees chance to expand in Tamil Nadu post Jaya arrest

BJP today asked the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister not to allow any violence in the wake of AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa's arrest and saw an opportunity to expand its base in the state to fill possible political vaccum.
"It is the complete responsibility of the present Chief Minister (O Panneerselvam) to keep things in order. The current situation provides no ground for any kind of violence. Everyone must respect the verdict and it should not cause disorder in public life. I hope they will act. I don't want them to fail," BJP general secretary Muralidhar Rao said.
He said the state government should act immediately and recurrence of violence would not help in any way to improve the image of the government and it is in the interest of AIADMK and Jayalalithaa to keep things in order.

Rao, who is also incharge of party affairs in Tamil Nadu, said the situation also offers an opportunity for BJP to expand its base there and emerge as a major player in the state in the run up to next assembly elections due in 2016.
"A kind of uncertainty is building up fast in Tamil Nadu after the latest developments in the state. There is a spirit of uncertainty and we are watching all the developments. We are keen to strengthen our party in Tamil Nadu. With our focus on South, we are engaged in planning different activities to increase our influence," Rao said.

He said that in the wake of Jayalalithaa's arrest and her bail being rejcted by the Karnataka High Court, BJP sees an opportunity for its emegernce as a major player in Tamil Nadu politics.

"BJP in Tamil Nadu is very active in the mobilisation of the people on various issues relating to Tamil fishermen, weavers, problems of textile sector and small industry. Our party has emerged as a very important player as also as the centre of an umbrella under the alliance with five parties," he said.
Rao said the alliance had got 22.5 per cent votes in the Lok Sabha elections and BJP is "interested in becomming a party in the race for power".

He said that with public opinion against corruption in the country, Jayalalitha has to obtain bail and get the verdict against her suspended.
Rao brushed aside as speculation about BJP trying to rope in cine star Rajnikant in its fold.