Senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Tuesday said he was hopeful that DMK chief M Karunanidhi will decline to be the Chief Ministerial candidate to pave the way for his son Stalin so that his party could tie up with the Dravidian outfit and DMDK could also be a partner.

Giving a new twist to his party's efforts in seeking potential alliance partners for the upcoming Assembly election, Swamy said in a tweet,"I am hopeful MK will decline to be CM candidate and make Stalin leader." 

He also said, "Then hope BJP align Stalin and Vijaykanth (DMDK chief) in a new alliance."

So far, neither the state unit of the BJP nor the DMK has shown any interest in forging an alliance though both are vigourously trying to rope in Vijayakanth-led DMDK in their respective fronts.

Against this background, what Swamy tweeted on Tuesday has caught party workers by surprise.

Till date, DMK has been unequivocal about Karunanidhi being the party's choice as chief minister.

Addressing a meeting on Tuesday, Stalin expressed confidence that a "government headed by party president Karunanidhi would work for the welfare of all sections of the people" if voted to power.

Interestingly, People's Welfare Front comprising Left parties, MDMK, and the VCK too is actively trying to get the DMDK on its side.