Tamil Nadu holds the key to power in Delhi

UNDER WRAPS: AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa says she will disclose her plans only after May 16.

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New Delhi: Tamil Nadu's 39 Lok Sabha seats have in the past decade swung either completely in favour of the Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK) or its rival the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

The political war between DMK supremo and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's and AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa will hold the key to Parliament.

It is becoming clear that the route to South Block now certainly passes through Tamil Nadu, which is why both Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party are keeping a close watch on developments in Tamil Nadu.

Even though Karunanidhi reaffirmed his loyalty to the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance saying that he was confident of victory and will continue to support Congress even after elections, his daughter and Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi struck a more practical note.

"The DMK has seen a lot of ups and downs. We will be able to hold the party together and do well. Actually we are not worried," said Kanimozhi.

But Jayalalithaa is yet to disclose her plans.

"I am getting several feelers but I will not respond to the overtures till I have the result in my hand. We will get our results on the 16th (May 16) and then I will consult with my allies," the AIADMK chief said on Wednesday after casting her vote in Chennai.

But AIADMK's spokesperson Dr V Maithreyan said that his party's goal was see the fall of DMK government in Tamil Nadu.

"If Congress withdraws it support to the DMK the state government falls," said Maithreyan. When asked if AIADMK's first goal was to remove the DMK government from Chennai, he said, "It is also one of the goals."

But the big question still remains: which of the two, the BJP and Congress, will be able to give that assurance to Jayalalithaa and get her support post May 16.

In 1998, BJP's alliance with AIADMK proved a winning combination and helped it to come to power at the centre.

Tamil Nadu again proved to be a key state in 2004 as the grand alliance of DMK, Congress, PMK and MDMK humbled AIADMK and BJP.