Putting an end to speculation of a DMK alliance, All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi Chief Sarath Kumar has inked an alliance with the BJP. 

The BJP Union Minister Prakash Javadekar along with BJP President Tamilisai Soundarrajan met with Sarath Kumar to finalise the party’s inclusion in the NDA front. 

TN BJP welcomes shri Sarath kumar to NDA team for 2016 elections. https://t.co/MNwTe1ZE3l

— Tamilisai Soundrajan (@drtamilisaibjp) February 27, 2016

Earlier, Sarath Kumar said he was keeping their options open and would reach a decision in 10 days. But in just 5 days, political developments have taken a swift turn.

Sarath Kumar recently broke his ties with the ruling AIADMK, the party with which he has been in alliance since the 2011 elections.

The founder of the All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi told the media on Monday that while he does not blame the AIADMK for the split, he thought they could have done better. 

He had created ripples by shaking hands with DMK treasurer MK Stalin in the flagging off of Kumari Ananthan’s prohibition march.

The march was categorically supported by the DMK and the PWF, which have been opposed to the AIADMK. 

Sarath Kumar began at the DMK, where he rose to become a Rajya Sabha MP in 2001, but quit the party due to ‘dynasty politics’. 

He then floated the AISMK and then struck an alliance with the AIADMK. But after multiple snubs by the party, the strength of the alliance has dwindled.

Most recently, his fervent campaigning during the fiercely fought Nadigar Sangam elections had not worked in his favour.