The Union Minister for Road Transport, Shipping and Highways, Pon Radhakrishnan has said that BJP will not beg other parties for alliance in the upcoming state assembly elections and will continue to lead the NDA alliance.

Briefing media persons here on Sunday during his preparatory visit to the city ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s visit, Radhakrishnan said that BJP as a party will form a strong alliance in the state and win the elections. “Only the MDMK has left the NDA alliance and other parties have not announced their decisions and they will inform their stand soon,” he said.

Claiming that the visit of the PM Modi on February will prove to be a big boost for BJP in the state, Radhakrishnan said that it will bring about a change in Tamil Nadu’s political scenario.

The minister also said that a four lakh-strong crowd is expected to attend the public meeting which is to be held at the Codissia grounds. Three lakh party cadre and one lakh members of the general public are expected to participate.

About the ongoing fishermen issue, he said that the Presidents of both India and Sri Lanka have discussed the issue during Pranab Muhkherjee’s Sri Lankan visit. At least 25 rounds of talks at the official levels have been already held. He added that the central government will find a permanent solution to the issue.

Promising that the NDA alliance will eradicate liquor from the state if voted to power, Radhakrishnan blamed the DMK for introducing TASMAC in the state.

Replying to a question over the comment made by senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha that the Modi-led government will meet the same fate as the Indira Gandhi-led Congress did after the Emergency, Radhakrishnan said, “Performance of the central government is very good and the BJP will not face such a fate in the near future.”

He said that the prices of petrol and diesel prices were slashed many times after the government took charge and the prices are not reduced in tune with the international price of crude oil as the government is thinking for long term solutions instead of changing the prices immediately, on a regular basis.

The minister attended the 28th annual day function of the Ex-Army Men and Widows Welfare Association held later that day.