When it was pointed out that his predecessor K Annamalai had, some time before the AIADMK rejoined the NDA, declared that allies like Dhinakaran who had firmly stood behind the party could not be "let down," Nagenthran said: "Sure, what he had said was true. Already, those who were part of the NDA will continue to be part of the alliance."

Earlier, when Palaniswami had indicated that he was not averse to joining the BJP to dethrone the DMK, Annamalai had, without naming anyone said that staunch allies like Dhinakaran could not be "let down," irrespective of whoever joins the NDA.

Dhinakaran and OPS had unsuccessfully contested the 2024 general elections as NDA constituents.

Asked if the BJP will accommodate such allies by sharing seats from its kitty with them, Nagenthran, referring to Annamalai's remark, said they were with the BJP, and "our NDA (referring to BJP brass) leadership and the AIADMK leadership together will decide," on the matter.

Both Dhinakaran and OPS, besides VK Sasiakala had been in the past, on different occasions, expelled from the AIADMK and Palaniswami has repeatedly asserted that they would not be re-inducted.

Union minister Shah, at the time of the announcement of alliance with the Tamil Nadu's main opposition party, had declared that his party would not interfere in the AIADMK's internal issues.

Shah gave this answer when he was asked about the unification of the AIADMK vis-a-vis expelled leaders OPS and TTV.

On CM M K Stalin dismissing the AIADMK-BJP alliance in Tamil Nadu as a "tholvi koottani," an alliance that is bound to fail, Nagenthran said: "I am saying, only they (DMK-led bloc) will be defeated in the polls."

On actor-politician Vijay's party saying that the poll fight would be between the DMK and TVK next year, the Saffron party leader, explaining the strengths of the BJP and AIADMK exuded confidence that only the NDA bloc would win in Tamil Nadu.

Asked if he, as state unit chief, would take steps to rein in Vijay's party into the NDA he said "they have to decide."

Further, alliance has been firmed up only now with AIADMK's entry and bringing in parties such as Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) would be considered in the due course.

When the issue of bitterness among the AIADMK cadres was brought to his attention due to some comments allegedly made by Annamalai in the past against late AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa and Dravidian icon CN Annadurai, he claimed his predecessor's speech was distorted.

"It was not intended to hurt anyone."

Dismissing scope for any bitterness, he said the cadres of both the parties had already joined hands and only later the leaders of the BJP and AIADMK have joined forces.

To another question, he asserted that the NDA's goal is to capture power in Tamil Nadu, and "send home packing the anti-people DMK regime," and everything else may be taken up at a later stage.

Nagenthran was a minister during the AIADMK regime from 2001 to 2006 and had held the portfolios of transport, electricity and industries.

His present stint as an MLA (2021 onwards) is his third term and the first as a BJP legislator.

In 2001 and 2011, he won as an AIADMK candidate in Assembly polls.

He joined the BJP on August 26, 2017 in New Delhi in the presence of Amit Shah.

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