Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to embark on a crucial two-day visit to Tamil Nadu, starting Sunday, to galvanize the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) strategy and address alliance dynamics in the key southern state ahead of upcoming elections.
Shah's Packed Schedule: From Yatra to Pongal
During his visit, Amit Shah's itinerary is strategically packed. He will attend the closing ceremony of a state-wide yatra in Pudukkottai. This yatra was led by BJP's Tamil Nadu president, Nainar Nagendran, and has focused on championing Tamil pride, a counter-narrative to the ruling DMK-led alliance's portrayal of the BJP as antithetical to the state's values.
Furthermore, Shah is scheduled to preside over a key meeting with senior BJP leaders from the state and participate in Pongal celebrations. Sources indicate that important allies, including AIADMK's general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), are likely to meet with the Home Minister during this period.
Navigating Alliance Roadblocks and Internal Rifts
Shah's southern sojourn is seen as a critical move to push for the expansion of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which has encountered significant hurdles. The alliance landscape is fraught with complications:
- The PMK, a BJP ally in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, is now split into two factions led by founder S Ramadoss and his son Anbumani Ramadoss.
- Another potential ally, the DMDK, founded by actor Vijayakant and now led by his widow Premalatha Vijayakant, has yet to finalize its political stand.
- There is a notable divergence in strategy between the BJP and EPS on how to mount a strong challenge against the formidable DMK-Congress-Left alliance, especially with the emergence of actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which has attracted some regional leaders.
A core tension point is the BJP's perceived support for the return of former AIADMK leaders like O Panneerselvam and TTV Dhinakaran to the party fold to project unity. However, EPS remains wary of such a move, concerned it could challenge his authority within the AIADMK.
The Need for High-Level Intervention
Despite Union Minister Piyush Goyal being appointed as BJP's election in-charge for Tamil Nadu and his recent meetings with EPS, NDA functionaries believe Amit Shah's direct intervention is essential. With his proven political acumen, Shah is expected to reach out to both current and prospective allies to solidify the coalition.
His track record lends him the authority to orchestrate a united front against Chief Minister M K Stalin's DMK, a task where EPS, despite leading the senior alliance partner, has struggled due to his party's diminished capacity.
Concurrently, the BJP must also streamline its own internal affairs in the state. The party's former president, Annamalai, who enjoys popularity among the core base, has maintained a low profile and has occasionally missed important meetings, indicating a need for internal alignment.
As the political temperature rises in Tamil Nadu, Amit Shah's visit marks a pivotal moment for the BJP and its allies to forge a coherent and competitive strategy for the electoral battle ahead.
