How BJP bought peace with AIADMK

CHENNAI: In the wake of BJP state leader K Annamalai's statement about snapping ties with the AIADMK, the BJP high command has reached out to its ally in an attempt to broker peace.
Union home minister Amit Shah telephoned AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami last week to defuse the situation, and the AIADMK leader is expected to visit Shah in New Delhi next week, multiple sources told TOI.
Days after BJP national president J P Nadda told senior party functionaries in Krishnagiri that the alliance with the AIADMK was intact and it should be taken forward, Annamalai had taken a strong stand against continuing the alliance with the AIADMK. He told functionaries at a meeting in Chennai on March 17 that he would remain a cadre and not continue as state president if his leadership decided to have an alliance with the AIADMK.
"Within a few days, Amit Shah himself called up EPS. Palaniswami was told not to get perturbed over the developments and that the BJP national leadership would 'take care'. Now, EPS has decided to visit Shah next week," said a party source.
Leaders in both camps point to the latest interview of Shah to a news channel that the alliance with the AIADMK was intact, and Palaniswami too echoing similar sentiments. Buoyed by his success in the court battles and his elevation in the party as general secretary, Palaniswami is keen on cementing ties with the BJP 'national leadership' for the LS polls. A section in both parties, however, were averse to the idea of continuing the coalition but the majority view prevailed that the DMK-led opposition was strong.
BJP sources said Annamalai, who caused a stir recently with his statements opposing an alliance with the AIADMK, was "summoned" by the national leadership and was "properly advised" and asked to abide by the party rules. "The BJP is a party with a national outlook, and the party is superior to any individual. Alliances are discussed by the core committee and decided by the national leadership. The high command was upset and realised that some course correction was necessary," said a BJP leader.
Insiders say that senior leaders, who didn't toe the line of the state leadership, were trolled by the 'social media war room' and complaints had to be raised before the high command in Delhi. Apparently, the state president is said to have reminded the functionaries that the 'baby eagle' should mount on her wings.