From correspondents in Tamil Nadu, India, 02:31 AM IST

AIADMK chief J. Jayalalithaa Wednesday said her party would look at other serious contenders like Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati as a prime ministerial candidate after the next general elections.

In a party statement released here, Jayalalitha indicated she would welcome political parties like the PMK and the Left parties in a probable political front led by her.

Significantly, Jayalalitha has been known to support causes dear to the Bharatiya Janata Party, including the retention of Rama Sethu, a stand diametrically opposite of the Left parties and the PMK.

At present, Jayalalitha's only known political ally is the MDMK, which has six seats in the Tamil Nadu assembly and two seats in parliament.

'If such a political alignment ends up supporting Mayawati for the prime ministership, then AIADMK would like to look at it seriously as Jayalalitha has no national political ambitions,' the statement added.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)