Chennai:

Ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Tamil Nadu tomorrow to prepare for the Lok Sabha elections, his task is to try to revive the BJP’s political fortunes in the state, where the party commands a negligible 3 per cent vote share. The state is struggling without any major ally after AIADMK broke the alliance.

Both Dravidian arch rivals, the ruling DMK along with the India Bloc and its former ally AIADMK, are maintaining distance from the BJP.

So far, only Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) chief GK Vasan has joined hands with BJP. Indications suggest that Puthiya Thamizhagam and some other smaller allies are considering crossing over to the DMK camp. Expelled AIADMK leaders O Panneerselvam (OPS), Sasikala and TTV Dhinakaran are keen to join.

PM Modi’s political rally at Palladam in Tiruppur district this afternoon will mark the culmination of BJP state unit chief K Annamalai’s padayatra touching all 233 assembly seats in Tamil Nadu. Defying the odds and relying on PM Modi’s influence and the impact of his march, Mr Annamalai told NDTV, “Forget who was with us then and now. When we started the rally, it was the BJP’s There was a rally; now it has developed into a mass movement.” More parties will join in the coming months and will strengthen the hands of Prime Minister Modi.

“We are a regional party with a national outlook and we need to strengthen the hands of Prime Minister Modi for making India a third world economy and for the security of the country,” GK Vasan told NDTV.

The BJP, which failed in the 2019 elections in the Dravidian bastion, is cornering the ruling DMK on issues of corruption and dynastic politics.

The ruling DMK, now part of the India Bloc, had won 38 out of 39 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and has kept its alliance intact. It is taking on the BJP by raising issues like usurpation of states’ rights, not giving special relief package to flood-ravaged Chennai and Tuticorin, price rise and financial discrimination towards southern states.

The AIADMK, which had won just one seat last time and lost both the elections it fought with the BJP, is contesting for the first time under the leadership of Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS).

Amid these challenges, PM Modi’s addresses will be keenly watched to see whether he will move beyond his pro-Tamil rhetoric to provide an adequate financial and relief package to the state in addition to Tamil Nadu’s long-standing demand for NEET exemption.