Chennai: Two BJP senior leaders have expressed the hope that the ruling AIADMK will extend its support to the BJP candidate in the upcoming presidential polls.

Sounding confident that the AIADMK, despite the crisis within the party, would support the BJP candidate, Union Minister of State for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan said the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam would back his party’s candidate in the election to the country’s top post. He however said that state ministers should function more effectively and ensure corruption-free governance.

“BJP wants this government to continue in Tamil Nadu. Frequent polls are not good for people,” he reiterated.

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP and senior leader L. Ganesan too expressed in similar vein and said that “In the present situation, the AIADMK lacks the capacity to take on the DMK. Only BJP has that strength and capability.”

These views of the BJP seniors have come at a time when opposition parties accusing the Centre of remote-controlling the TN government and causing a crisis in the ruling party.

Training his guns on the DMK, Radhakrishnan blamed that party for “willfully interfering” into the age-old customs and traditions and altering the celebrations of the birthday of Tamil savant Tiruvalluvar.

“The DMK, which had changed the Tamil New Year’s day to Thai one (from Chithirai one) has been willfully interfering… Initially, a day had been dedicated for Tiruvalluvar on Mattu Pongal and later it was shifted to last day of the Pongal festival. This should be changed. Tiruvalluvar’s birthday should be celebrated on Vaikasi Anusham every year,” he said. He wanted the state government to take appropriate steps in this direction.