Elections – NDA Expresses Confidence of Forming Government in Tamil Nadu Soon
Elections – As campaigning for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections came to a close, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson ANS Prasad expressed strong confidence in the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) prospects. He stated that the alliance expects to secure a clear mandate, adding that a government led by AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami could be in place within the next 15 days.
NDA Signals Strong Momentum Across the State
According to Prasad, the NDA, spearheaded by the AIADMK and supported by allies including the BJP, PMK, and AMMK, has received widespread public backing throughout Tamil Nadu. He pointed to large turnouts at campaign events as an indication of growing support for the alliance.
He highlighted rallies held in key cities such as Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Coimbatore, and Nagercoil, where senior leaders addressed voters. Appearances by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and Nitin Gadkari, were described as drawing enthusiastic crowds, reinforcing the alliance’s confidence ahead of polling.
Allegations of Strain Within Opposition Alliance
Prasad also raised questions about the internal cohesion of the opposition bloc led by the DMK. He alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was initially reluctant to partner with the DMK and that the alliance came together through the efforts of intermediaries.
He further claimed that during campaign events, there appeared to be visible gaps in coordination between Congress and DMK leaders. According to him, Rahul Gandhi did not share the stage with DMK president MK Stalin during multiple campaign stops, including those held in Tiruvallur, Ranipet, Tiruchirappalli, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, and Kanniyakumari.
Campaign Incidents Highlighted by BJP Leader
Citing specific examples, Prasad stated that at a rally in Poonneri, Rahul Gandhi initially refrained from mentioning Stalin before eventually doing so after encouragement from local DMK workers. In another instance in Krishnagiri, he claimed that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge left a joint event midway, reportedly due to prior commitments.
Prasad suggested that such incidents indicate a lack of unity within the opposition alliance. He argued that these developments could influence voter perception in the final phase of the election process.
Outreach Beyond State Borders
The BJP spokesperson also remarked that MK Stalin had sought support from leaders outside Tamil Nadu, including Tejashwi Yadav and Arvind Kejriwal. He described both leaders as known critics of Rahul Gandhi and suggested that their involvement reflects strategic adjustments by the DMK leadership.
Additionally, Prasad referred to criticism from DMDK leader Premalatha Vijayakanth, who has spoken against the current DMK government. He cited her remarks as an example of broader dissatisfaction among certain political groups.
Claims of Public Sentiment Against DMK
Prasad asserted that there is significant public discontent with the ruling DMK government. He claimed that voters are likely to express their views decisively during the polling process.
Reiterating his earlier statement, he said the NDA expects a favorable outcome and anticipates forming the next government under Edappadi K Palaniswami’s leadership soon after results are declared.
Election Schedule and Key Contest
The Tamil Nadu Assembly elections are set to take place in a single phase on April 23, with vote counting scheduled for May 4. The primary contest is between the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance and the NDA, led by the AIADMK with support from the BJP and PMK.
As the state prepares for polling, both alliances continue to project confidence, setting the stage for a closely watched electoral outcome.