As the election draws closer, tensions between political parties have escalated, with party leaders resorting to rhetoric on their respective platforms. One notable instance occurred when former ADMK minister CV Shanmugam, addressing an their party candidate’s introductory meeting, lambasted the BJP for its failure to expand in Tamil Nadu. He attributed the BJP’s success of securing four MLA seats solely to the alliance with his party, dismissing the BJP’s independent growth in the state.
The Villupuram AIADMK organized an introductory meeting for their candidate for the Villupuram Parliamentary Constituency, Pakyaraj, at a private wedding hall in Villupuram. Former Minister CV Shanmugam chaired the meeting. Addressing the gathering and introducing the candidate, CV Shanmugam expressed concerns about the current state of affairs. He criticized the DMK government for neglecting the state’s welfare and accused the BJP government of disregarding the people’s needs. Shanmugam warned against the BJP’s ‘divisive politics’, suggesting that the country is approaching a critical juncture. He countered BJP’s slogan of “Modi again” with their own stance of “No Modi, No Modi,” citing potential threats to Indian democracy if the BJP were to come to power again. Shanmugam highlighted the challenges faced by businesses, alleging that government agencies like the CBI, Enforcement Department, and Income Tax Department target opposition to the BJP.
While lamenting the influence of BJP’s alliance parties in Tamil Nadu despite the BJP not yet holding power there. Shanmugam emphasized the importance of the upcoming election, noting the significance of AIADMK’s stance during this crucial period. He stated, “Is everyone in BJP, a Gandhi? Today, the BJP has not even come to power in Tamil Nadu. By our grace, with our ‘alms’, they got 4 MLAs. But what do you see everywhere in the news? All companies are being threatened and collected money from them. Even in Villupuram, because Annamalai is coming, did they leave out a shop or a businessman? They collected money from everyone.”
பாஜகவுக்கு நாம் போட்ட பிச்சை 4 எம்.எல்.ஏ.க்கள் – சி.வி.சண்முகம் https://t.co/wupaoCz9iu | #CVShanmugam #BJP #AIADMK #LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/sKFIhHDIHX
— ABP Nadu (@abpnadu) March 27, 2024
In swift retaliation to the derogatory remarks made about the Tamil Nadu BJP by former AIADMK minister CV Shanmugam, SG Suryah, the state secretary of the Tamil Nadu BJP, highlighted six constituencies from the 2021 elections where the alliance between the BJP and AIADMK contributed significantly to their victory margin. Additionally, he juxtaposed this with the BJP’s performance in the 2016 elections when the party contested alone, emphasizing the impact of the BJP on electoral outcomes.
For instance, let’s consider the Kavundampalayam constituency in Coimbatore. In the 2016 elections, AIADMK secured victory with a a mere margin of 8,025 votes. However, if it had competed independently in the 2021 elections without the BJP alliance which had 8.4% vote share in 2016, AIADMK would have lost the MLA seat in this constituency. This scenario is applicable to the remaining five constituencies as well, as elucidated by SG Suruyah.
With a tone of utmost civility, SG Suyah conveyed through his official X handle directed towards CV Shanmugam that, “Minimum civility should be followed in politics Mr.@CVShanmugamofl. Alliance comes today, goes tomorrow. We can also call these 6 constituencies and many constituencies as ” ***ai” (Alms) given to BJP in 2021 elections. But, we won’t…”
| Constituency | 2021 (ADMK + BJP) Votes
Victory Margin (2021) |
BJP Votes (2016) |
|---|---|---|
| Coimbatore North | 4,001 | 16,741 |
| Kavundampalayam | 9,776 | 22,444 |
| Singanallur | 10,854 | 16,605 |
| Mettupalayam | 2,456 | 11,036 |
| Kinathukadavu | 1,095 | 11,354 |
| Pollachi | 1,725 | 5,363 |
அரசியலில் குறைந்தபட்ச நாகரிகம் பின்பற்றப்பட வேண்டுமே திரு.@CVShanmugamofl அவர்களே.
கூட்டணி இன்று வரும், நாளை போகும்.
நாங்களும் இந்த 6 தொகுதிகள் மற்றும் பல தொகுதிகளை 2021 தேர்தலில் பா.ஜ.க போட்ட “**சை” என சொல்லலாம் தான்.
ஆனால், வேண்டாம்… https://t.co/rdJwy5kfO8 pic.twitter.com/5Z4MktOWm9
— Dr.SG Suryah (மோடியின் குடும்பம்) (@SuryahSG) March 26, 2024
And also the victory of the four constituency suggests the following:
- In Tirunelveli, the winner was Nainar Nagendran from BJP, securing 92,282 votes, which is 46.70% of the total votes with a margin of 23,107 votes.
- In Nagercoil, the winner was M.R. Gandhi from BJP, receiving 88,804 votes, representing 48.21% of the total votes with a margin of 11,669 votes.
- In Modakkurichi, the winner was Dr. C.K. Saraswathi from BJP, securing 78,125 votes, which accounts for 42.96% of the total votes.
- In Coimbatore (South), the winner was Vanathi Srinivasan from BJP, receiving 53,209 votes, which represents 34.38% of the total votes.
Therefore, the BJP secured victory primarily due to its own effectiveness, say BJP supporters on social media.
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