In a significant move to strengthen its position in Tamil Nadu, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is orchestrating an aggressive campaign to present the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) as the primary alternative for voters opposing the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). This push comes at a crucial time as the state's traditionally bipolar politics faces a potential shake-up with the emergence of actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) as a notable third force.
NDA Consolidation: Meetings and New Entrants
The BJP's efforts for alliance expansion gained concrete momentum with a key meeting in Delhi on Wednesday. AIADMK leader and declared NDA leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) held discussions with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, a strong advocate for broadening the NDA's base in the poll-bound state. Their talks covered a spectrum of issues related to the alliance's growth and its future agenda.
In a move signaling consolidation, the PMK faction led by Anbumani Ramadoss was formally welcomed into the NDA fold by EPS in Chennai. This inclusion occurred just hours before EPS's meeting with Shah, highlighting a coordinated effort to present a united front. However, EPS has firmly drawn a boundary regarding certain former AIADMK figures. He has reiterated his opposition to the return of O. Panneerselvam and V.K. Sasikala to either the AIADMK or the NDA. While commenting on Thursday, EPS remained non-committal regarding TTV Dhinakaran, another former AIADMK functionary rumored as a potential NDA member.
The TVK Factor and Alliance Calculus
The political equation in Tamil Nadu has been complicated by the rise of actor Vijay's TVK. The new party has attracted local leaders disgruntled with their parent parties or those seeking a higher profile. With the AIADMK under EPS losing some ground in recent years, several functionaries have already switched allegiance to TVK. There is also speculation that Panneerselvam and Dhinakaran might eventually join the new outfit.
A BJP functionary compared the initial buzz and crowds around Vijay to the momentum once generated by poll strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor in Bihar, before his party's electoral setback. Sources indicate that while the BJP's ideal scenario would be to unite all political forces opposed to the DMK-led front, including TVK, such an alliance appears unlikely. Vijay's self-projection as a chief ministerial candidate and his criticism of the BJP's core ideology are significant hurdles.
Interestingly, TVK has identified the Congress as a more natural ally, a sentiment echoed by a section within the national party that is unhappy with the DMK's dominant stance and its reluctance to share power or engage with TVK.
BJP's Strategic Bet and Campaign Focus
Despite internal debates, the BJP is likely to stand firmly behind EPS as the NDA's leader. The party believes that an AIADMK-led front remains its best bet to challenge and defeat the formidable DMK-Congress-Left combine. BJP has long held the view that reintegrating leaders once associated with AIADMK and the late J. Jayalalithaa could project a message of unity after electoral setbacks. However, practical considerations and EPS's firm stance are expected to prevail.
With several issues still unresolved within the state's governing alliance, the NDA is now focused on finalizing its structure and shaping a compelling poll narrative. The alliance plans to launch a high-octane campaign centered on allegations of corruption and misgovernance against the DMK government, aiming to tie up loose ends and present a cohesive alternative to the voters of Tamil Nadu.
