Tamil Nadu will be one of the first states to “inaugurate” the festival of democracy – the Great Indian Elections on 19 April 2024 and with the campaigns heating up by the minute, BJP state president and Coimbatore Lok Sabha candidate Annamalai made bold statements in an interview with Puthiya Thalaimurai channel. Speaking aboard the campaign bus in the RG Pudur area of the Coimbatore Lok Sabha constituency, Annamalai spoke in length about the Dravidian parties in the state and more particularly, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. He asserted that AIADMK would cease to exist after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He emphasised the BJP’s intention to eliminate Dravidian parties from Tamil Nadu’s political landscape if given the opportunity. Criticising AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palanisamy for perceived arrogance, Annamalai also attributed the BJP’s defeat in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu to AIADMK’s corruption.
When asked about how he felt the “battlefield” was, Annamalai replied, “Coimbatore is a different field altogether. What began as a 3-way fight has now changed. People have moved towards the BJP, all neutral voters. Coimbatore will see 60% vote share for the BJP – this is because of the neutral voters shifting towards the BJP.”
When asked about the formidable organisational strength and vote bank possessed by the ADMK and DMK, Annamalai stressed that despite BJP’s smaller footprint, it could boast of a robust foundation, having garnered support from diverse demographics like youth, women, professionals, and first-time voters, unlike our counterparts. He compared it to a small startup challenging a large PSU. Annamalai also stated that he was very optimistic about it and the results would be available for all to see on 4 June 2024.
Dismissing claims by the Dravidian parties that the BJP’s presence was confined to social media and lacked ground support with insufficient booth agents, Annamalai said that it was common practice for parties worldwide to downplay shortcomings publicly. He also firmly believed that BJP’s growth was undeniable in the state and said he anticipated the BJP to secure over 20% vote share, with the NDA surpassing 30%.
Annamalai also said he anticipated that both the DMK and the ADMK would come together to fight the BJP and that this would be seen especially in Coimbatore. He added that both Dravidian parties recognised that once BJP established itself in the region, it would threaten their survival. Consequently, he also alleged that they were actively attempting to impede the party’s growth wherever they perceived it. He noted that voters who previously supported these parties, particularly women, were now backing the BJP, their affinity for Modi was evident and that his victory was widely expected. He added that even the party cadre from these two parties might defect once the election results are revealed.
When asked if both parties would be decimated in this election, Annamalai replied, “One will surely be decimated in 2024. This is because one party has a strong alliance, so it will not be affected. But we do not know whether the party is strong or their alliance is strong. But if you ask me after 2024, one Dravidian party will disappear. I leave it to the people and I know that people have decided that one party doesn’t need to be in the state. Do we need a party solely to oppose the DMK? That is not an ideology, we do not need a party for that. Tamil Nadu needs a party that offers good governance. Over the past 33 months, you as a journalist know who has peeled the layers of the DMK and placed it before the people – be it corruption charges, other notes we have shared, or demonstrations or protests that we have put forth to the public. If they are talking of anti-DMK, we surely do that.”
When asked about the opposition’s efforts on the ground, Annamalai remarked that rather than effective opposition, the AIADMK mainly resorted to attacking him personally. He noted that in their videos, a significant portion was dedicated to criticising him, without addressing the Prime Minister. Regarding the decision to break the alliance, Annamalai expressed confidence in his actions, citing electoral data from 2014 and 2019. He highlighted that despite being in an alliance in 2019, the BJP and AIADMK garnered fewer votes in comparison to 2014, indicating a lack of effective vote transfer. Annamalai emphasised that the alliance did not resonate with the public, especially when they claimed to stand against corruption. As the TNBJP head, he opted to contest local body elections independently, believing it was the right course of action.
During the interview, Annamalai addressed the perception that the BJP was waiting for an alliance with the AIADMK, clarifying that the AIADMK’s viewpoint was narrow-focused, considering only itself in the state. He highlighted the presence of other parties like PMK and IJK in Tamil Nadu and emphasised the BJP’s fair treatment of all alliance partners, regardless of seat-sharing arrangements. Annamalai underscored the BJP’s commitment to equitable partnerships and its stance against corruption, citing instances of misappropriation of funds allocated for development projects by the AIADMK. He criticised the lack of basic development in Coimbatore, attributing the AIADMK’s success in the 2021 elections to its alliance with the BJP. Annamalai expressed confidence that the AIADMK would face electoral losses due to corruption and caste politics. He predicted victories for OPS in Ramanathapuram and TTV in Theni, suggesting that the AIADMK cadre would shift their support accordingly. Annamalai also challenged the notion that votes were solely for EPS, emphasising the importance of the party symbol in influencing voter decisions.
During the interview, Annamalai addressed the challenge of breaking the AIADMK stronghold in West Tamil Nadu by highlighting historical shifts in political allegiance. He noted that when the Congress lost influence in the region, many supporters migrated to MGR’s AIADMK and subsequently to JJ’s leadership. Annamalai emphasised the importance of distinguishing present leaders from past icons and urged voters to recognise those involved in corruption. He pointed out that the cadre understand the value of aligning with a stronger political party and highlighted the significant defection of around 25 former AIADMK MLAs to the BJP following the announcement of elections. Annamalai emphasised that these were not marginal figures but influential individuals who chose to align with the BJP.
Responding to the observations of the DMK’s approach towards Modi and the AIADMK’s stance on the BJP, Annamalai acknowledged that as an emerging party, his communication style was straightforward and heartfelt, not aimed at appeasement. Annamalai affirmed his unwavering support for Prime Minister Modi, stating that any disparaging remarks about the PM would be met with a firm response from him. He reiterated his dedication to Modi’s leadership and his belief in India’s advancement under it. Annamalai suggested that the AIADMK’s reluctance to criticise the BJP indicated a close relationship akin to relatives.
Annamalai also responded to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK Chief, MK Stalin’s criticism of the BJP’s performance, citing the central government’s allocation of funds to Tamil Nadu as evidence of its contributions. He pointed to a whitepaper on the BJP website supporting this claim. Annamalai contrasted the DMK’s record of opening five government medical colleges during their tenure with the BJP’s achievement of opening 15. He also highlighted other initiatives such as infrastructure development, Mudra loans, and the expansion of airports, etc. Annamalai criticised MK Stalin for his negative outlook, accusing him of ignoring the government’s accomplishments and exaggerating the BJP’s shortcomings. He challenged Stalin to substantiate his claims of fulfilling 99% of his poll promises and accused the DMK of only achieving a fraction of its manifesto pledges. Annamalai condemned Stalin’s resort to divisive tactics, likening it to outdated strategies from the 1960s.
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