Anxious to revive its fortunes after a dismal performance in the Uttar Pradesh polls, the BJP has started to reach out to its former NDA allies to make a serious bid to come to power at the Centre in the next general election.

Among those the party will be “tapping” in the initial stages are the AIADMK and TDP. The fact that both the parties are exploring third front possibilities, along with the Samajwadi Party, INLD and the AGP, have not inhibited the BJP in its efforts.

According to a senior party leader, such parties are unlikely to benefit from an alliance among themselves. “How will it benefit the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh if it has an alliance with the AIADMK or the TDP, and vice versa? These are regional groups and are not in a position to help others. That is where we come in,” he said.

The BJP is moving on the assumption that in the era of coalition politics, it is necessary for smaller parties to gravitate towards one of the two poles — the Congress or the BJP. The plan is to seek “realignment” with former NDA forces while adding new friends.

The possibilities are said to be diverse at the moment. Parties like the Lok Janshakti Party, AIADMK, DMK, TDP, Indian Federal Democratic Party, MDMK and National Conference are likely to be approached. A top party leader said Arun Jaitley, Venkaiah Naidu and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi are expected to play a major role in this effort.

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