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Prime Minister Narendra Modi faces a significant challenge as he prepares for his tour of Tamil Nadu ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. The BJP, with a meager 3% vote share in the state and no major ally after the AIADMK severed ties, is grappling to establish a political foothold.
Both of Tamil Nadu’s Dravidian arch-rivals, the ruling DMK with the INDIA bloc and its former ally, the AIADMK, are maintaining a distance from the BJP. Currently, the only significant alliance is with GK Vasan, chief of Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC). There are indications that other smaller allies, such as Puthiya Thamizhagam, are considering joining the DMK camp, while ousted AIADMK leaders O Panneerselvam (OPS), Sasikala, and TTV Dhinakaran are open to aligning with the BJP.
Prime Minister Modi’s political rally in Tiruppur district marks the culmination of the BJP state unit’s extensive padayatra, covering all 233 assembly seats in Tamil Nadu. BJP’s state unit chief K Annamalai, confident in PM Modi’s influence, stated, “More parties will join and strengthen Prime Minister Modi’s hands in the months to come.”
GK Vasan emphasized the need to strengthen PM Modi’s hands for the nation’s economic growth and security. The BJP, focusing on corruption and dynastic politics, aims to challenge the ruling DMK in the state.
The DMK, part of the INDIA bloc, won 38 of the 39 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and is maintaining its alliance. It criticizes the BJP on issues such as state rights, relief packages for flood-ravaged areas, price rise, and financial discrimination against southern states.
The AIADMK, led by Edappadi K Palaniswamy (EPS), is fighting independently for the first time after losing both previous elections fought with the BJP.
PM Modi’s addresses during the tour will be closely watched to see if he addresses Tamil Nadu’s demands, including substantial financial and relief packages and the long-standing request for NEET exemption.
