The Tamil Nadu politics was revolving between the two State political outfits the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
(DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) since 1970s. After the formation of the AIADMK from splitting from the DMK the former got more time in power than its parent party. The Congress party was a force to reckon with till late 1960s. Since 1967 the Congress party has had no role in power directly for the last 57 years.
Two main national parties, the BJP or the Congress party are more or less depend on their allies in the State. Both the national parties go for alliance with both the regional parties at one time and the other. Many local smaller players like the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and some others also play important role in their area of influence.
The politics of Tamil Nadu and Union Territory of Puducherry are complementary to each other. These two States account for 40 Lok Sabha seats. After formation of AIADMK the party firstly formed Government in Puducherry and then in Tamil Nadu. The AIADMK won in Puducherry gave its cadres and the Tamil Nadu voters enough confidence that the newly formed outfit under leadership of MGR can defeat the Karunidhi led DMK.
As far as the condition of both the national parties are concerned both have nearly the same vote base. In 2014 Lok Sabha poll the Congress party contested on its own and got 4.3 per cent of the vote. This showed the actual vote base of the party. The Congress party like other States conceded space to the regional party especially to the DMK by promoting its interests in Delhi for the Gandhi Family or the first family of the party. In most of the States the Congress party forge alliance with the regional party and concede seats to the party in Assembly election and solicit more seats for Lok Sabha as the first family has major interest in Delhi or their own political interest.
The BJP is increasing its acceptability in Tamil Nadu. After demise of Jayalalitha and Karunanidhi, two main players of the State politics, the BJP is looking for more space. The BJP formed Government in neighboring Puducherry with regional outfit AINRC, a breakaway faction of the Congress party. The BJP is looking to repeat the AIADMK episode in Tamil Nadu. Now voters of Tamil Nadu is looking towards the BJP with more expectation and they also consider the BJP as the major player in this region too.
Many infrastructure development and other people oriented policies of the Union Government has also given thrust to the BJP in the State. Like the new Pamban railway sea bridge being built to connect Mandapam town on the mainland with Rameshwaram on the Pamban Island. The new Pamban Railway sea bridge is 2.05-kilometre long having budget of Rs 545 crore. The revamped Tamil channel of Doordarshan was launched by the PM Modi himself. Besides the steps taken for the welfare of the fisherman is also highly acknowledged by the locals in Tamil Nadu. Besides the steps taken with Sri Lankan Government for the welfare of the State like the ferry service started between the port town of Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu and Kankensanthurai, in Jaffna district of northern Sri Lanka is an excellent example for the locals. The people of Tamil Nadu are highly appreciative of such steps.
On political front the Opposition space is open in Tamil Nadu. The DMK along with the Congress party are in the I.N.D.I alliance and the BJP is all set to fill the Opposition space in Tamil Nadu. In the past in West Bengal the BJP successfully sidelined the Congress party and the Communists in West Bengal and now the BJP is knocking for final power struggle in West Bengal in 2026 Assembly election. Not only in West Bengal but also in Tripura and in some other States the BJP had successfully sidelined the other parties and became either the ruling or the main Opposition.
In Tamil Nadu for Lok Sabha poll the BJP is all set to be main contender under able leadership of Narendra Modi and State president K Annamalai is an ideal condition to expand its footprint in the State. The anti-DMK voters will go with the BJP and its allies in the State in 2024 Lok Sabha poll. The BJP led NDA in Tamil Nadu also has Puthiya Tamilagam being headed by Dr K Krishnasamy. Many other regional political outfits are likely to join the NDA till election. In 2019 Lok Sabha poll the BJP was runner on 5 seats. The BJP in Tamil Nadu will repeat its West Bengal 2019 Lok Sabha performance in Tamil Nadu and win nearly same number of seats as that of the main challenger.
Leave a Comment