BJP and AIADMK announce alliance in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry

"I am extremely delighted that today AIADMK and BJP have concluded very fruitful discussions and we have agreed to jointly contest the parliamentary elections in Tamil Nadu & Puducherry as well as by-elections to 21 assembly seats," BJP leader and Union minister Piyush Goyal said.

"BJP to contest in 5 seats in AIADMK alliance - Honourable Deputy CM Thiru O. Panneerselvam Announces," the AIADMK announced on its official Twitter handle.

Tamil Nadu has 39 Lok Sabha seats. Puducherry is another seat. In the 2014 elections, the BJP had won just one seat on its own.

"BJP will support AIADMK candidates in the by-elections to 21 Assembly Constituencies," the Tamil Nadu ruling party also said on Twitter.

AIADMK, which won 37 Lok Sabha seats in the last election, has been appearing to be on a slide since the death of its charismatic leader Jayalalithaa and the consequent rupture of the party. Along with the BJP, it will also be looking to revive its fortune.

The DMK and Congress are also expected to announce their alliance shortly.

Actor-politician Rajinikanth, who could have been a major factor in the election, recently announced he would not be part of the general elections and said no party should use his name in their campaigns.

Another actor-politician Kamal Haasan, whose party will contest the election this time, has not announced any alliance.