New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with top DMK leaders in Chennai today sparked off speculation on political dynamics and configurations in Tamil Nadu, where a strife-torn but “BJP-friendly”AIADMK is in power.

Even as leaders of both parties called the Prime Minister’s meeting with nonagenarian DMK chief M Karunanidhi a “courtesy” call, it triggered speculation on the state’s political future.

Many saw the BJP’s warming up to a Congress ally (the DMK) an open acknowledgment of the strengthening of Karunanidhi-led party and the weakening of its rival, the deeply divided AIADMK post J Jayalalithaa, in the southern state.

Observers say it is a clear indication that in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the 2014 top performer AIADMK will be forced to take a back seat. Despite its best efforts, the BJP has been unable to get the AIADMK juggernaut together and is keeping all options open with the General Election on mind.

“I don’t think there is any harm in being friendly with everyone, like we are in Andhra Pradesh with N Chandrababu Naidu (TDP) and Jaganmohan Reddy (YSR Congress),” said a BJP leader.

The PM was received by senior DMK leaders MK Stalin and MK Kanimozhi at the Chennai home of their father who recently made his first public appearance after a long illness. The PM was in Chennai to attend some functions. The DMK is a Congress ally and has been part of the Opposition alliance that has regularly taken on the BJP.