Prime Minister Modi is gearing up for his tour of Tamil Nadu ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, aiming to revive the BJP’s political prospects in a state where the party faces challenges with a minimal 3% vote share and no significant ally following the AIADMK’s severed ties. The ruling DMK and its former ally, the AIADMK, are maintaining a distance from the BJP.
As of now, only GK Vasan, leader of Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC), has aligned with the BJP. There are indications that Puthiya Thamizhagam and a few other smaller allies are considering joining the DMK camp. Ousted AIADMK leaders, including O Panneerselvam, Sasikala, and TTV Dhinakaran, are also willing to join forces. PM Modi’s political rally in Palladam, Tiruppur district, will conclude BJP state unit chief K Annamalai’s padayatra, covering all 233 assembly seats in Tamil Nadu. Annamalai, expressing confidence in PM Modi’s influence, stated that the rally has transformed from a BJP event into a people’s movement, anticipating more parties to join and strengthen Modi’s position in the future.
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The BJP unsuccessful in the Dravidian heartland in the 2019 elections
The BJP, unsuccessful in the Dravidian heartland in the 2019 elections, is challenging the ruling DMK on grounds of corruption and dynastic politics. The DMK, now part of the INDIA bloc, dominated the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, securing 38 of the 39 seats, and has maintained its alliance. The political discourse involves the BJP accusing the DMK of undermining state rights, neglecting flood-ravaged areas like Chennai and Tuticorin, contributing to price hikes, and displaying financial discrimination towards southern states.
The AIADMK, which had won just one seat last time and had lost both elections it fought with the BJP, is fighting for the first time under the singular leadership of Edappadi K Palaniswamy (EPS). Amid these challenges, PM Modi’s addresses would be keenly watched to see if he would go beyond his pro-Tamil rhetoric to offer the state substantial financial and relief packages besides Tamil Nadu’s long-standing demand for NEET exemption.
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