The ties between AIADMK and the BJP have slid to an all-time low, with the BJP workers in Tuticorin burning photos of AIADMK chief E Palaniswami, accusing him of violating "coalition dharma'. Last week, five BJP leaders had joined the AIADMK - among them was the BJP's state IT wing chief CRT Nirmal Kumar. On Wednesday, 13 other BJP members quit the party in support of CTR Nirmal Kumar.