The rallies will also be the last nail in the AIADMK Front coffin since the PMK is also stated to attend the MDMK's Chennai meeting. Of even more interest is the possibility of the ruling DMK extending covert support to the MDMK rally. The political significance of this is immense. Not only would it indicate the DMK's sympathy towards the BJP at the Centre but also signal a political realignment in TN. The MDMK, which broke away from the DMK and allied with the AIADMK, has been at loggerheads with the DMK though there has been a softening of stands of late.

As for the BJP, it has taken a calculated risk by openly turning its back on J Jayalalitha's Tiruchirapalli meeting and casting its lot with the MDMK. Both Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee andHome Minister L K Advani are to attend the Chennai rally. But, it is learnt that they really did not have much of a choice - Jayalalitha, it seems, has not invited them to the rally.

The level of support that the two formations enjoy in the State is supposed to be indicated by the turnout at both rallies. It will also test the BJP's theory that the AIADMK Front did so well in the Lok Sabha elections because of Vajpayee's popularity.

Senior BJP leaders have already indicated that the party's relations with the AIADMK have reached a point of no return. But to attend a parallel rally in the State is to openly challenge Jayalalitha on her own stamping ground.

BJP leaders here are at pains to point out that the Chennai rally had been planned months ago and that Jayalalitha had earlier agreed to attend. Vajpayee and Advani's participation had also been finalised weeks ago. The MDMK has organised the rally to observe C Annadurai's birth anniversary.

In a bid to play down the political significance of thePrime Minister and the Home Minister choosing to attend the MDMK rally, BJP leaders are referring to Vajpayee's ``close friendship'' with the DMK founder. Besides, it was Jayalalitha who suddenly planned her rally in Trichy on the same day, the BJP leaders say.

But if the BJP really wanted to keep its options open, it could have deputed some senior leaders to Jayalalitha's rally. Not only is this not happening but, the BJP has instructed its cadres in TN to turn out in full force for the MDMK rally.