Raipur: Indicating that it was exploring the possibility of finding new allies like the Asam Gana Parishad (AGP) for the Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) admitted for the first time that its relationship with Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) is under strain.

Maintaining that relations with DMK in Tamil Nadu was "strained" ever since All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has been cosying up to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), party spokesman Promod Mahajan told reporters on the second day of the three-day national executive, "The situation is critical but stable. The relations are strained but none of our allies have deserted us."

The DMK had broken off its relations with the Tamil Nadu unit of the BJP on the ground that it was moving closer to the ruling AIADMK even though it continues to be part of the NDA coalition at the Centre.

Mahajan said the party was confident of taking on the Congress even if it were to head an alliance as favoured by the Simla Conclave.

"If there are two alliances, it does not bother us. It is good for us if Congress has an alliance. None of our allies have deserted us since the formation of the NDA in 1999," he said at his 35-minute presentation to top party leaders on "Mission 2004".

"The picture is more rosy than 1999 as none of the allies have left us and in fact more have joined the NDA like a splinter group from the RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) and a group of MPs bringing the strength of the ruling coalition to 325," he said.

PTI