Chennai: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has sharply criticised the political alignment between the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in Chennai, questioning the rationale behind their association.

Speaking on the matter, Kharge referred to the party’s legacy linked to Dravidian leader C. N. Annadurai, and asked how a party that invokes his image and ideals could align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He further accused the BJP of not believing in equality and social justice, and alleged that such political alliances were undermining democratic values.

He said, "How these AIADMK people, who themselves put the photo of Annadurai, how can they join Modi? He is a terrorist. His party won't believe in equality and justice. These people are joining with them; it means they are weakening democracy."

Kharge argued that collaborations of this nature between regional parties and the BJP amount to a weakening of democratic institutions and principles in the country.