CHENNAI: In a major development ahead of the crucial 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has reached a key seat-sharing agreement with the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) in Tamil Nadu. As part of the deal, PMK, representing the Vanniyar minority, has been given ten parliamentary constituencies to contest the upcoming elections in the southern state. PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss expressed optimism about this alliance, stating, “The people of Tamil Nadu are longing for change after six decades of rule by other parties. To fulfill these aspirations, PMK has decided to ally with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).”
Impact of the BJP-PMK alliance
Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai agreed with Ramadoss’s views, emphasizing the strength of the alliance. He highlighted the transformative impact of PMK’s decision to join the NDA, leading to an immediate change in the political landscape. Both leaders are scheduled to attend a public meeting along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the importance of this cooperation.
Candidates from State Lok Sabha Constituency/UT Lok Sabha Party INDIA
Telangana Adilabad (ST) INC Atram Suguna
Telangana Peddapalli (SC) INC Gaddam Vamsi Krishna
Telangana Karimnagar INC
Telangana Nizamabad INC T. Jeevan Reddy
Telangana Zahirabad INC Suresh Kumar Shetkar
Telangana Medak INC Neelam Madhu
Telangana Malkajgiri INC Patnam Sunitha Mahender Reddy
Telangana Secunderabad Inc. Danam Nagender
TelanganaHyderabad INC
Telangana Chevella INC G. Ranjith Reddy
Telangana Mahabubnagar INC Challa Vamshi Chand Reddy
Telangana Nagarkurnool (SC) INC Mallu Ravi
Telangana Nalgonda INC Kunduru Raghuveer Reddy
Telangana Bhuvanagiri INC Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy
Telangana Warangal (SC) INC Kadiyam Kavya
Telangana Mahabubabad (ST) INC Balram Naik
Telangana Khammam INC
Tamil Nadu Tiruvallur INC Sasikanth Senthil
Tamil Nadu Chennai North DMK Kalanidhi Veeraswamy
Tamil Nadu Chennai South DMK Thamizhachi Thangapandian
Tamil Nadu Chennai Central DMK Dayanidhi Maran
Tamil Nadu Sriperumbudur DMK TR Baalu
Tamil Nadu Kancheepuram DMK G. Selvam
Tamil Nadu Arakkonam DMK S. Jagathrakshakan
Tamil Nadu Vellore DMK DM Kathir Anand
The PMK, which mainly represents the Vanniyar minority in Tamil Nadu, was the second major alliance partner of the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, which contested on seven seats in the alliance. With a voting percentage of 5.42%. was unable to secure a single seat in the polls. PMK contested 23 seats in the AIADMK alliance in the 2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections and won five seats with a polling percentage of 4.04%.
During the 2019 general elections, the secular progressive alliance led by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, which included INC, VCK, MDMK, CPI, CPI(M), IUML, MMK, KMDK, TVK, AIFB, won a landslide victory by winning 38 of 39 places. In 2019, DMK won 23 Lok Sabha seats with 33.2% vote share, Congress won 8 seats with 12.9% vote share and CPI won 2 seats in Tamil Nadu. CPI(M) won a seat, IML won 1 seat and independents were elected on 2 seats.
PMK saw a slight raise in vote share to 5.42%. for seven seats in 2014, compared to 4.4 percent for eight seats. Anbumani Ramadoss is currently a member of the Rajya Sabha and was elected unopposed in 2019.
BJP seat-sharing arrangements
Following the conclusion of the agreement, discussions are ongoing to finalize the details of the agreement regarding the division of seats. PMK leaders are scheduled to appear at Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming public meeting in Salem, where the PMK candidates will be officially announced. The alliance is a strategic move by the BJP to strengthen its presence in Tamil Nadu, a state historically dominated by Dravidian parties.
Widening footprints in DMK-ruled Tamil Nadu
The recent seat-sharing agreement with the PMK highlights the concerted efforts of the BJP to expand its influence in Tamil Nadu despite being under the rule of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Prime Minister Modi’s wide reach in the state, coupled with alliances with regional parties and eminent personalities such as actor R. Sarath Kumar, signals the BJP’s decisive entry into the Tamil Nadu political arena. Subsequently, Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) chief TTV Dhinakaran announced her party’s unconditional support to the BJP-led alliance in the Lok Sabha elections.
Interestingly, during his recent rallies in Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced development projects worth Rs 30,000 crore. In his speeches, Prime Minister Modi has consistently criticized the ruling DMK for alleged mismanagement over the past three years, dynastic politics and perceived anti-Hindu stance. Prime Minister Modi also tactfully avoided direct criticism of his former ally in the NDA, the AIADMK, which has distanced itself from the BJP. Prime Minister Modi’s praise for AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran and former leader J Jayalalithaa further indicates that channels of cooperation may still exist.
It may be noted that the BJP in alliance with AIADMK left a tie in the Lok Sabha elections of 2019. In 2023, they parted ways, leaving the BJP to contest with smaller parties like Maanila Congress, PMK, etc.
Inclusive approach and political strategy
The BJP’s inclusive approach, evident in selecting leaders from diverse backgrounds to lead the party in Tamil Nadu, aims to dispel misconceptions that it is a pro-Brahmin party and broaden its appeal beyond its time-honored voter base. Showing a commitment to inclusivity and taking into account regional sentiments, the BJP is trying to carve a niche in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.
Challenges and optimism
While the BJP faces challenges in Tamil Nadu, especially in garnering support amid the existing political dynamics, the party remains bullish about its prospects. With the Lok Sabha elections approaching, the BJP’s concerted efforts to connect with voters and forge alliances underline its determination to establish a significant presence in the state and reshape Tamil Nadu’s political narrative in the upcoming elections.
State/UT |
Lok Sabha constituency |
INDIA Party |
Candidates from India |
BJP/NDA party |
BJP/NDA candidates |
Another party |
Other candidates |
Telangana |
Adilabad (ST) |
INC |
Atram Suguna |
BJP |
G. Nagesh |
BRS |
Atram Sakku |
Telangana |
Peddapalli (SC) |
INC |
Gaddam Vamsi Krishna |
BJP |
Gomas Srinivas |
BRS |
Koppula Eshwar |
Telangana |
Karimnagar |
INC |
BJP |
Bandi Sanjay Kumar |
BRS |
B. Vinod Kumar |
|
Telangana |
Nizamabad |
INC |
T. Jeevan Reddy |
BJP |
Dharmapuri Arvind |
BRS |
Bajireddy Goverdhan |
Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu
The first phase of voting for all 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu is scheduled for April 19. The Electoral Commission announced a seven-stage voting schedule across the country, with voting from April 19 to June 1 and vote counting on June 4.